CHAMPAGNE’S BEST KEPT SECRET
A quiet revolution has been taking place in Avize that should bring a smile to Brits who enjoy a glass of bubbly, as the UK continues to face widespread restrictions. The Frerejean Frères champagne maison is a new generation of winemaker, managed by the three Frerejean-Taittinger brothers, who are embracing the tradition of their family heritage, producing fine craft champagne and bringing in innovative approaches to deepen the experience of consumers.
Established in 2005, Frerejean Frères creates hand-crafted cuvées that are aged at their own pace, a far cry from the over-commercialised larger champagne maisons. The brother’s have worked with a 5th generation Chef de Cave to develop a range of champagnes that embody quality and decades of craft knowledge. Originally made to enjoy with their friends and family, the brothers soon recognised that the blend of traditional craft expertise, the region’s finest grapes and innovative thinking creates great champagne that will truly challenge the industry.
Rodolphe Frerejean-Taittinger commented: “We want our champagne to be enjoyed as you should enjoy a fine wine, rather than a bottle to pop and spray. Our hand-crafted champagne is aged for more than double the industry standard to bring out its natural character. We wanted every bottle to celebrate our history, our ancestors, our knowledge and our passion. Each cuvée contains centuries of knowledge, generations of perfected flavour and artisanal authenticity for a premium taste.” Frerejean Frères have recently relaunched their UK website, allowing customers to order directly from its UK bonded warehouse. Customers can select from six current award-winning champagnes on offer:
(From Left to right)
Frerejean Frères Brut, NV - The signature wine is a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir aged for a minimum of five years, producing an elegant Champagne that embodies the richness of the Frerejean Frères terroir. Low Brut dosage and late disgorgement mean that it’s both balanced and generous.
Frerejean Frères Blanc de Blancs, NV - crafted exclusively from Premier Cru and Grand Cru Chardonnay grown in the Côte des Blancs. A blend of vintages and reserve wines contributes to generous and complex aromas, and aged for longer, to produce a beautifully clear and elegant Champagne.
Frerejean Frères Rosé NV - A luminous salmon and glittering gold dress, this Rosé multi vintage is a gastronomic breakaway. This champagne will blend notes of red fruits freshly harvested to aromas of a freshly baked brioche. It is a cuvée ready to be appreciated or to be aged in your cellar for a few years in order to enjoy all the complexity of its aromas.
Frerejean Frères VV26 - Aged for eight years and sealed with a traditional agrafe, this Blanc de Blancs is creamy and mineral. Sourced from some of the region’s oldest vines, which date back to 1926, these rare Chardonnay grapes are aged in oak barrels for seven months, before the champagne is blended with the best of the 2008 and 2009 harvests from our renowned Côte des Blancs terroirs of Cramant, Avize and Oger.
Frerejean Frères Cuvée des Hussards 2012 - Named after the light cavalry of Napoléon Bonaparte, in which the soldiers were the first to use the art of sabring, the Cuvée des Hussards is powerful and expressive. This cuvée was elaborated from 85% Chardonnay and 15% Pinot Noir coming from Premier and Grand Cru vineyards older than 40 years old. 2012 is regarded as the vintage of reference of the last decade.
Frerejean Frères Extra Brut 2006 - Harvested after the hot summer of 2006 and aged 13 years, the Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes are sourced from vieilles vignes that are at least 40 years old, using our trademark late disgorgement and low dosage of sugar. This is a superb vintage, with rich and complex aromas.
Shop the full range frerejeanfreres.co.uk
