Champagne Guy de Forez, Brut Tradition, NV, Champagne (AOC)

'One-Liner'
Pure Pinot Noir from the Côte des Bar – ripe orchard fruit, red berries and biscuit with fine bubbles and a generous, beautifully fresh palate.

Tasting Note
Pale gold with subtle amber highlights and a fine, persistent mousse, opening with ripe apple, greengage and delicate red berry fruit alongside a gentle biscuity note. The palate is generous and rounded, with Pinot Noir bringing plenty of fruit and structure while crisp acidity keeps everything lively. Notes of apple, raspberry and subtle pastry develop through the middle, balanced by a clean mineral freshness. There is more breadth here than in many lighter Champagne styles, but it remains elegant and energetic throughout. Fresh and persistent on the finish, with ripe fruit, biscuit and gentle citrus lingering behind.

Country: France
Region: Champagne AOC
Sub-Region: Côte des Bar – Les Riceys
Grape(s): 100% Pinot Noir
ABV: 12%
Friendly: n/a

Awards & Critics' Scores
Concours Général Agricole 2022 – Silver Medal
Gilbert & Gaillard International Challenge 2022 – Gold Medal

The Story
Champagne Guy de Forez is a small grower-producer based in Les Riceys, the remarkable Côte des Bar village that is home to three separate appellations: Champagne, Coteaux Champenois and Rosé des Riceys. Pinot Noir dominates the family’s vineyards and Brut Tradition is the cuvée they describe as representing them most closely – a pure expression of the grape they love most. The wine is fermented in stainless steel and, unusually for the house style, malolactic fermentation is avoided to preserve its freshness and fruit. It then spends around 30 months ageing on its lees in the cellar, building the fine bubbles, biscuity complexity and extra breadth that sit behind its ripe apple and red-fruit character.

Perfect With... (click me for the recipe)
- Meat/fish: Trout amandine with lemon butter and parsley
- Vegetarian: Chestnut mushroom pithivier with a dressed green salad
- Vegan: Chickpea, Herb and Roasted Pepper Salad with Lemon Dressing