# Special Club Grand Cru (2018)

- **Producer:** Champagne Juillet-Lallement
- **Colour:** white
- **Type:** sparkling
- **Grapes:** Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Meunier
- **Region:** Champagne, France
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 12.5%
- **Average price:** €97
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 8–10 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** peach, lemon, apple, apricot, pear, pastry, biscuit, butter, bread, brioche, hazelnut, honey, almond

## About this wine

Champagne Juillet-Lallement Special Club Grand Cru 2018 is a distinguished grower Champagne from the Grand Cru villages of Verzy and Sillery in the Montagne de Reims. The Juillet-Lallement family has a three-generation history in winemaking, with the current generation focusing on terroir and sustainable practices. The 'Special Club' designation signifies a wine of exceptional quality, selected by the Club Trésors de Champagne through a stringent blind tasting process. The estate's vineyards are characterized by chalky soils and a beneficial northern exposure, contributing to the wine's profile. The 2018 vintage offers the potential for developing complexity.

## Interesting facts

- Special Club wines are selected through a rigorous blind tasting process.
- The distinctive bottle design is based on an 18th-century model.
- Only 28 Champagne producers are part of the Club Trésors de Champagne.
- Vineyards average 40 years old, with some plots dating back to 1949.

## Food pairing

The wine's vibrant acidity and minerality cut through the richness of seafood and creamy sauces, while its complexity complements refined dishes. The subtle fruit notes can bridge to desserts.

## Wine making process

Champagne Juillet-Lallement Special Club Grand Cru 2018 is produced using grapes from their Grand Cru vineyards in Verzy and Sillery. Vinification takes place in thermo-regulated stainless-steel vats to maintain freshness. Some vintages may see aging in 300-liter oak barrels made from local Verzy forest wood. The 'Special Club' designation involves a rigorous selection process, including blind tastings of still wines and wines after three years of bottle aging. The estate practices reasoned cultivation and sustainable viticulture, respecting the natural environment.