No.1 Family Estate takes top spot in battle of the bubble

‘No.1 Family Estate takes top spot in battle of the bubble’

In a tasting littered with some of the biggest names in French Champagne, New Zealand’s only exclusive producer of sparkling wines, No. 1 Family Estate has come out on top with their limited release ‘Cuvee Remy 2007’. The tasting, conducted by highly-respected New Zealand wine writer and author, John Saker for the Sunday Star-Times magazine ‘Sunday’ published on 16 December 2012, received 84 entries of which 50 were from New Zealand.

The wines were all tasted blind by Saker and fellow judge, Wellington-based sommelier Stephen Wong. Four New Zealand wines made it to the top 20 which was dominated by Champagne.

Proprietor and winemaker Daniel Le Brun said, “I am delighted this wine took top place – it confirms my belief in Marlborough being one of the best places in the world to make top quality Methode Traditionnelle.”

Cuvee Remy was released in 2010 in honour of Remy Le Brun’s (son of Daniel and Adele Le Brun) 21st birthday. The wine is a blend of 80% Pinot Noir, giving structure and power and 20% Chardonnay which contributes richness and finesse. Just 200 cases were made, following the same process as used in Daniel’s homeland - Champagne - with the hand-picking of grapes and pressing them in whole bunches using a special Vaselin press (imported from Champagne) followed by fermentation in bottle to create the all-important bubbles. The wine spent two years on yeast lees prior to disgorgement in December 2009.

Saker’s tasting note reads, “What a sublime drink, it has really hit its straps and is drinking beautifully. Sophisticated starched collar and floral aromatics set the tone. In the mouth it is creamy, layered, sexy and deceptively powerful. This is a wine to savour when you palate and mind are both fresh; try it with anchovy hors d’oeuvres.”

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