# Frerejean Frères Grande Réserve Brut Magnum (NV)

- **Producer:** Frerejean Frères
- **Colour:** white
- **Type:** sparkling
- **Grapes:** Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier
- **Region:** Champagne, France
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 12.0%
- **Average price:** €95
- **Vegan:** Yes
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 10–12 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** peach, apricot, blossom, mango, pastry, brioche, butter, toast, honey, almond, hazelnut

## About this wine

Maison Frerejean Frères was established in 2005 in Avize, a Grand Cru village in the Côte des Blancs, by three brothers: Guillaume, Richard, and Rodolphe Frerejean-Taittinger. The brothers possess a unique dual heritage, with their mother belonging to the legendary Taittinger Champagne family and their father's family having deep roots as Burgundian master ironmasters. This background inspires their grower-style approach, focusing on single-plot expressions, low dosage, and extended aging. The house operates under a philosophy of patience, allowing their wines to mature far longer than the legal minimums to fully express the terroir. Frerejean Frères is highly regarded globally, serving as the official Champagne partner of the Michelin Guide awards ceremonies and Les Grandes Tables du Monde.

## Interesting facts

- Founded in 2005 by three brothers of the Taittinger family, blending Champagne tradition with Burgundian heritage.
- Aged for a minimum of four years on its lees, which is nearly triple the legal minimum requirement for Champagne.
- The estate is the official Champagne partner of the Michelin Guide awards ceremonies worldwide.
- Features a unique label redesign with moon-cycle pictograms representing the wine's maturation period in the cellars.

## Food pairing

The high acidity and pronounced autolytic complexity of this Champagne cut through rich, creamy textures and fried foods, while its mineral-driven salinity beautifully complements fresh seafood. The medium body and roundness from the Pinot Meunier and reserve wines also allow it to stand up to roasted poultry and veal.

## Wine making process

This Grande Réserve Brut is crafted from Premier and Grand Cru vineyards in the Côte des Blancs and Montagne de Reims, including Grauves, Cramant, and Verzenay. The blend consists of 50% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir, and 20% Pinot Meunier, utilizing only the first press juice to ensure maximum purity. It incorporates 20% to 30% matured reserve wines to maintain consistency and add complexity. The wine undergoes secondary fermentation in the bottle and is aged on its lees (sur lattes) for a minimum of four years (48 months) in the historic chalk cellars of Avize. Following disgorgement, the bottles are rested for at least six months to stabilize. The final dosage is kept low, between 6.5 and 7 grams per liter.