Champagne Gratiot-Pilliere Tradition Extra Brut NV

Gratiot-Pillière's delicious Tradition Extra Brut is made from 80% Pinot Meunier - often unfairly seen as the Cinderella variety in Champagne when compared to Chardonnay and Pinot Noir - which, as it shows here, has a wonderful abundance of a fruit and richness. Straw gold in colour with fine bubbles in the glass it's bursting with aromas of ripe stone fruits. Then citrus, quince, plum and honeyed notes lead onto a fresh, dry and delicate palate. Quite simply a thoroughly enjoyable, great value, Champagne.

Asides from as an aperitif try with oysters, smoked salmon or sashimi.

The small house of Gratiot-Pillière, situated in the town of Charly-Sur-Marne, has been handed down through the generation since 1657 and is, today, in the hands of the 11th generation of the family in the shape of brothers Olivier and Sébastian Gratiot. Their vineyards are spread across local sites from Chely-Sur-Marne to nearby Azy-Sur-Marne and extend to 18 hectares in total. They are a good example of a classic, small Champenois grower-producer who are focussed on producing excellent value Champagnes at value for money prices.