Billiecart-Salmon, Vintage Extra Brut

Alcohol percentage: 12%

Area:
Billecart are based in Mareuil-Sur-Ay, just north of Epernay, but of course source grapes from all around the region.

Grape variety:
65% Pinot Noir, 35% Chardonnay, from mainly Grand Cru vineyards; matured for 9 years ‘on its lees’; and finally bottled with only very low (4g per litre) ‘dosage’ (extra sugar)

Producer:
Francois Roland-Billecart is the seventh generation to run the Billecart Salmon family estate. The whole business is geared to quality not quantity.

Maturity potential:
Designed to be ready to drink on release (unlike the more expensive ‘NFB’), but this will improve until 2030.