Tim Hall of Scala Wine tries to summarise what tasting more than 400 champagnes, mainly those of genuine growers, taught him this year. See part 2 for his picks and an overview of the market for single-estate champagnes. See also Champagne – a thirsty insider's view.
As I wrapped up a recent 10 days in Reims, my tenth consecutive year of Champagne Week, and wrote a final note about my 413th glass, albeit a tasting sample, dutifully spat out bien sûr, I was optimistic and impressed.
This annual Reims fizz-fest began with 17 young champagne growers Terres et...