Billecart-Salmon Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru

Salut, everyone! Welcome to the first official post on The Fizzz, before I get to the fun part I wanted to take a quick moment to say a massive thank you to my family and friends for supporting my little passion project, my heart is SO FULL from the words of encouragement, the wisdoms and the investment you have all given me. I could never take the love for granted. So again, thank you, thank you, thank you!

And now, the fun part 😉

Kicking off The Fizzz with this bottle that completely took me by surprise. Pronounced Beel-car Sal-mon (don’t worry you’ll get used to it), Billecart-Salmon was founded in 1818 in Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, a village in the Champagne region of France. It was established by Nicolas François Billecart and Elisabeth Salmon, whose marriage united two local winemaking families (how romantic, eek!!!).

Billecart-Salmon had been on my radar for absolutely AGES and I’d love to say I had a valid reason for my apprehension towards making a purchase but I’d be lying! So when I was gifted this bottle for my 28th birthday, it almost felt serendipitous and the perfect time to really enjoy and savour this bottle. If I’m being completely honest I popped open this bottle with absolutely no expectations, to me all champagne is good champagne (controversial take I know!!!). However, once I sat down in my warm bubble bath and poured into a chilled flute…I was completely amazed!

Here are some stats about the bottle:
– £89.45 + Shipping
– Chardonnay grape variety
– Medium bodied style

And now for my take on this splendid bottle….

Appearance:

• Colour: The champagne has a bright, pale gold colour with greenish reflections, indicating its youth and freshness.
• Bubbles: The bubbles are fine and quite subtle, which is typical of a well-crafted Champagne.

Aroma:

• Primary Aromas: The aroma is fresh and delicate, with a slight flowery scent and citrus fruits like lemon and grapefruit.
• Secondary Aromas: As the Champagne opens up, it reveals more complex notes of green apple, pear, and hints of brioche and fresh almonds, which add depth to the initial fresh and floral profile.

Palate (Taste):

• Finish: The finish is long and clean, marked by a lingering freshness and a slight hint of chalkiness.
• Flavour Profile: On the palate, it is elegant and refined. Expect to taste fresh citrus fruits like lemon and lime, complemented by green apple and pear.
• Texture: The texture is smooth, creamy and luxe, with a fine mousse that enhances the wine’s elegance and finesse.

Overall Impression:

Billecart-Salmon Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru is fabulous! Nothing short of pure elegance and quality. I was completely taken aback on the first sip with just how crisp and delicious it was. A beautiful, subtle expression of Chardonnay, with a balance between freshness and acidity. It’s beautifully subtle notes and fine bubbles would be great for you if you’re not a big fan of a more fizzy and “full on” champagne. I did not pair this with any food but I imagine the flavour profile to do well with sushi, oysters or any delicate white fish dish. At just under £100 it may not be the most affordable casual drink but definitely one to bring along to a dinner party or a quiet night in between two champagne enjoyers. Overall I would rate this bottle an 8/10. I thoroughly enjoyed the flavours and think it’s a great bottle to try out (especially if you’re a chardonnay lover looking for a nice transitional champagne).

Thanks for reading and If you try this bottle, please let me know your thoughts! All my love and light.

– E