# Pol Roger Blanc de Blancs (2016)

- **Producer:** Champagne Pol Roger
- **Colour:** white
- **Type:** sparkling
- **Grapes:** Chardonnay
- **Region:** Champagne, France
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 12.5%
- **Average price:** €115
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 8–10 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** lemon, orange zest, pastry, brioche, toasted overtones, hazelnut liqueur, butter, almond, hazelnut

## About this wine

The Pol Roger Blanc de Blancs 2016 is a distinguished Champagne produced exclusively from 100% Chardonnay grapes. It hails from the esteemed Côte des Blancs region in Champagne, France, a sub-region celebrated for its chalky soils that impart unique characteristics to Chardonnay. Pol Roger, a family-owned Champagne house established in 1849, maintains a strong commitment to traditional winemaking practices. This particular cuvée highlights the purity and finesse of Chardonnay, showcasing the distinct terroir of its origin.

## Interesting facts

- Pol Roger is famously known as the Champagne of choice for Sir Winston Churchill.
- The house is one of the few to still age its wines in deep, cool cellars for extended periods.
- Blanc de Blancs means 'white of whites', indicating it's made solely from white grapes (Chardonnay).
- The 2016 vintage underwent six years of aging in Pol Roger's cellars before release.

## Food pairing

The wine's high acidity and minerality cut through the richness of creamy sauces and fatty seafood, cleansing the palate. Its delicate citrus and floral notes complement the subtle sweetness of shellfish and white fish.

## Wine making process

The Pol Roger Blanc de Blancs 2016 is crafted using 100% Chardonnay grapes. Vinification involves slow, cool fermentation in stainless steel tanks, with each village's contribution kept separate. The wine undergoes full malolactic fermentation. Secondary fermentation and aging occur in the bottle within Pol Roger's deep cellars, with this vintage spending six years on its lees before being disgorged in 2024. The dosage is typically around 7 grams per liter.