# La Réserve Brut (NV)

- **Producer:** Palmer & Co
- **Colour:** white
- **Type:** sparkling
- **Grapes:** Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier
- **Region:** Champagne, France
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 12.0%
- **Average price:** €75
- **Contains sulphites:** No
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 8–12 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** lemon, apricot, pear, lime, apple, hazelnut, toasted bread, brioche, almond, honey

## About this wine

Palmer & Co. La Réserve Brut is a non-vintage Champagne from Reims, France, a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier. The wine's name, 'La Réserve,' highlights the significant proportion of reserve wines, typically 20-35%, from previous vintages, contributing to its maturity and complexity. The producer, Palmer & Co., is a cooperative established in 1947, now owning extensive vineyards, including a notable focus on Chardonnay in the Montagne de Reims, a region often associated with Pinot Noir. Their winemaking philosophy emphasizes technical precision, harmony, and balance.

## Interesting facts

- Uses 20-35% reserve wines for complexity.
- Chardonnay is a key grape in Montagne de Reims for Palmer.
- A cooperative founded by seven visionary growers.
- Aged on lees for 3-4 years (standard bottles).

## Food pairing

The wine's lively acidity cuts through the richness of creamy sauces and fatty proteins, while its subtle fruit and brioche notes complement the delicate flavors of seafood and poultry. The chalky, salty finish echoes the minerality often found in shellfish.

## Wine making process

Palmer & Co. La Réserve Brut is produced using the traditional method, also known as the méthode champenoise. This involves primary fermentation followed by a secondary fermentation in the bottle, which creates the wine's effervescence. A significant aspect of its production is the inclusion of 20-35% reserve wines from previous vintages, contributing to its complexity and consistency. The wine is then aged on its lees for approximately 3-4 years for standard bottles, a process that imparts nuanced flavors and textures. The grapes are sourced from Premier and Grand Cru vineyards, with a particular focus on Chardonnay from the Montagne de Reims.