Armand de Brignac : Demi-Sec

Characteristics and Tasting Notes of the Armand de Brignac "Demi-Sec"

Tasting

Color
This wine reveals a brilliant white color.

Nose
The aromatic bouquet opens with indulgent notes of buttery brioche, English boiled sweets and stewed fruit. With aeration, subtle hints of grapefruit, candied citrus and caramel come through to enrich this olfactory palette.

Palate
The palate offers a particularly creamy texture and lovely density. Intense flavors of wild blueberries, chocolate and crystallized citrus intertwine harmoniously. The whole is supported by a refreshing acidity that perfectly balances the sweetness, leading to a long, lingering finish.

Food and Wine Pairing

This cuvée pairs wonderfully with foie gras, soft or blue-veined cheeses, as well as lightly spiced dishes. It also beautifully complements exotic fruits, baked desserts, and seafood served with a cream sauce.

Service and Storage

This "Demi-Sec" can be enjoyed now, but it also boasts excellent aging potential, capable of evolving in the cellar for a further 10 to 15 years or so to develop delicious honeyed notes.

The Distinctive Expression of a Great Champagne by Armand de Brignac

The Estate

The Cattier family's winemaking history dates back to 1625, but it was in 2006 that the Armand de Brignac brand officially came into being with its first commercial release. Located at the heart of the Champagne region, this exceptional house combines artisanal expertise passed down through thirteen generations with a modern vision of luxury. Today, the brand is jointly owned by the celebrated artist Jay-Z, an owner since 2014, and the LVMH group, which acquired half of the shares in 2021. The Cattier family, however, retains full independence over production.

The Vineyard

The vines span 33 hectares across the prestigious Premier Cru-classified terroirs of the Montagne de Reims, in Champagne. Spread across the villages of Ludes, Chigny-les-Roses and Rilly-la-Montagne, this vineyard rests on chalk-rich soils that give the grapes remarkable minerality. Strongly committed to environmental preservation, the estate holds Level 3 High Environmental Value (HVE) certification, guaranteeing sustainable farming practices that respect biodiversity.

The Blend

This cuvée is the result of a meticulous blend of three distinct harvest years, generally spanning a period of five years, such as the 2006, 2007 and 2008 vintages, for example.

Winemaking and Aging

The making of the "Demi-Sec" relies on an extremely rigorous selection process, using exclusively the very first press obtained from a traditional Coquard press. Vinification is carried out plot by plot in partially buried concrete vats, encouraging the development of a smooth, velvety texture. The wine then undergoes aging on the lees for five to six years in the estate's cellars. Finally, the unique dosage added after disgorgement is made up of base wines aged for one year in new French oak barrels.

Grape Varieties

50% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay, 10% Pinot Meunier