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Champagne Lamiable Alhena Blanc de Blancs Premier Cru Extra Brut: $68

(Carefully curated notes below are taken directly from the Producer’s website)

Varietal Composition

100% Chardonnay

Location

Tours Sur Marne, Champagne, France

The Terroir:

Our 2 environmentally friendly wineries are certified Sustainable Viticulture in Champagne and High Environmental Value and extend mainly over the Grand Cru territories of Tours-sur-Marne and Bouzy and the Premier Cru territory of Billy-le Grand.

We do not dominate our vines, we accompany them.

Because nature is well made, we do everything possible through our work in the vineyards and in the cellars to let our lands and our wines express themselves freely.

Tours sur Marne

Village Grand Cru de Champagne: cradle of the Lamiable house. The first plot of vines is planted in Tours-sur-Marne, in the place called Les Vignes des Meslaines. Small wine village of the Montagne de Reims, with only 53 ha in the Champagne appellation, it is here that we cultivate the majority of our vines. You will not often have the opportunity to discover 100% Tours-sur-Marne champagnes…

The Pinot Noir of Tours sur Marne are fruity, long, elegant, the Chardonnay are floral, airy, fine and creamy.

Quote to Ponder: 

“Like our DNA, each champagne is unique!”

“A terroir is a concept that refers to a space in which collective knowledge of the interactions between an identifiable physical and biological environment and the wine-making practices applied develops, which confer distinctive characteristics to the products originating from this space.”

–The International Organisation of Vine and Wine

A Few More Details…

The terrific entry champagne Alhena, shows in the best way how much Champagne you get for your money at Lamiable. Alhena is named after the brightest star in the constellation Scorpio, and is made each year in a limited quantity of just 4500 bottles. Depending on the vintage, the wine ages between 20-30 months on the lees, which contributes to the full and generous character. Dry, juicy and very rounded fruitiness, on top of a base of crisp mineral character.

Food Pairing

• Seafood Oysters and Shellfish:
  • Oysters on the Half Shell: The Champagne’s crisp acidity complements the briny salinity of fresh oysters.
  • Seared Scallops: The creamy texture of scallops is beautifully balanced by the Champagne’s vibrant citrus notes.
  • Sushi or Sashimi: Particularly with lighter fish like tuna or yellowtail, the Champagne enhances the delicate flavors without overwhelming them.
  • Lobster with Lemon Butter: The wine’s minerality and freshness cut through the richness of lobster.
• Cheeses:
  • Soft Cheeses: Pair with Brie, Camembert, or triple-cream cheeses to complement the wine’s creamy texture.
  • Goat Cheese: The tanginess of goat cheese is an excellent match for the wine’s crisp acidity.
• Vegetarian Dishes:
  • Asparagus Risotto: The wine’s acidity and minerality match well with the earthy and creamy flavors of risotto.
  • Mushroom Tart: The Champagne’s subtle yeasty notes complement the umami of mushrooms.
  • Quiche Lorraine: The buttery crust and rich filling are balanced by the Champagne’s brightness.
• Light Poultry and Meats:
  • Roast Chicken with Herbs: The herbal and citrus notes in the Champagne pair wonderfully with the savory and aromatic flavors of roast chicken.
  • Turkey Breast with Citrus Glaze: A light, slightly sweet glaze enhances the wine’s fruitiness.
• Fruits and Desserts:
  • Lemon Tart: The citrus flavors in the dessert mirror those in the Champagne.
  • Almond Biscotti: The wine’s nutty undertones harmonize with the almond flavors.

About the producer!

The Lamiable family founded their farm back in 1859, in Tours sur Marne, but it was not until the 1950s that Pierre Lamiable planted the first vines. This particular plot, “Les vignes des Meslaines”, was the starting point for what would later become the Lamiable champagne house.

After Pierre Lamiable established the champagne house, it was not entirely clear that his son Jean-Pierre would take over. He had trained as a doctor specializing in sports injuries, but was nevertheless captivated by champagne production, and in the early 1970s took over the reins of the wine house.

From 2003, Jean-Pierre’s daughter Orphélie took over the production of the champagnes, with good help from her husband Arnaud. The champagnes are incredibly accessible and soft in their very fruit-driven and straightforward style. In addition to the very beautiful champagnes, the couple also makes a stunningly beautiful sweet Ratafia, which is a perfect match for cheeses and desserts.

Source: https://www.champagnelamiable.com/fr/ ; https://vinova.dk/producent/champagne-lamiable/ ; https://www.champagnelamiable.com/fr/la-maison.html