# Special Club Chouilly Grand Cru (2016)

- **Producer:** Pierre Gimonnet & Fils
- **Colour:** white
- **Type:** sparkling
- **Grapes:** Chardonnay
- **Region:** Champagne, France
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 12.5%
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 8–10 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** peach, pear, apple, lemon, bread dough, baked bread, fresh dough, pastry, biscuit, orange marmalade, almond

## About this wine

The Pierre Gimonnet Special Club Chouilly Grand Cru 2016 is a single-varietal Chardonnay from the Grand Cru village of Chouilly in Champagne. Produced by Champagne Pierre Gimonnet & Fils, this wine is part of the 'Special Club' selection, indicating it originates from the estate's most exceptional vineyard plots. The Gimonnet family has a long-standing history in Champagne viticulture, with a particular focus on Chardonnay from the Côte des Blancs. The vines used for this cuvée are notably old, contributing to the wine's character. The 2016 vintage is characterized by its ripe and concentrated profile while maintaining a sense of freshness.

## Interesting facts

- Vines for this cuvée range from 1951 to 1991.
- 72% of Gimonnet's vines are over 30 years old.
- This wine is Extra Brut, meaning very low dosage.
- Bottled April 2017, disgorged April 2023.

## Food pairing

The wine's high acidity and minerality cut through the richness of seafood and butter-based sauces, while its subtle pastry notes complement the delicate flavors of shellfish and fish.

## Wine making process

This Champagne is made exclusively from Chardonnay grapes sourced from the Grand Cru village of Chouilly. The grapes are vinified and then aged on lees for an extended period, a process that imparts complexity and texture. The wine undergoes a secondary fermentation in the bottle for its effervescence. Following aging, it is disgorged with a minimal dosage of 4g/L, classifying it as Extra Brut. The specific bottling date was April 27, 2017, and disgorgement occurred in April 2023.