Champagnes & Chateaux, a leading specialist wine merchant in the UK since 1989, is bringing its exclusive portfolio of quality wines direct to the consumer for the first time.

Comprising a small close-knit team, Champagnes & Chateaux says it can offer one-to-one, personalised service, ensuring outstanding customer relationships.

 

“Working with small family-owned producers, our focus has remained the same throughout the 30 years that we’ve been supplying independents and top restaurants,” informed Managing Director and founder of Champagnes & Chateaux, Christophe Galez. “We sell quality wines with great character and individuality, which also represent great value for money. We pride ourselves on being able to offer outstanding wines that aren’t available to retailers and can now offer consumers an authentic taste of something different via our new online shop, with delivery direct to their door.”

New limited-edition from Champagne House Thiénot

New for this year is the highly anticipated release of the final limited-edition Brut Magnum from Champagne House Thiénot, featuring artwork by renowned French street artist Speedy Graphito. This is the third release in a trilogy, with Speedy No1 and Speedy No2 released in 2016 and 2018, respectively. The collaboration brings together urban painting and champagne in a story of friendship between Speedy Graphito and Garance Thiénot, the daughter of Champagne Thiénot’s founder Alain Thiénot. 

 

A UK agent of the Champagne House Thiénot since 1989, Champagnes & Chateaux is selective and qualitative with their distribution. Having previously partnered with the Oscars for two consecutive years, and currently partnering with the EFG London Jazz Festival and Serious Live Events, Champagne Thiénot is renowned for its distinctive house style, passion, elegance, and quality.

 

The 2020 release of the limited-edition Champagne Thiénot & Speedy No3 is a prime example of Thiénot’s stand-out style. Speedy’s impactful bottle design centres around the triumphant and full-of-life nature represented by the colour green. “Champagne Thiénot and Speedy No3 is a wonderful bottle to complete your collection if you’ve followed the releases over the last four years,” remarked Mr Galez.

First Champagne release for Penfolds

In another bold move for Champagne Thiénot, 2019 saw a collaboration with Australian winemaker Penfolds. Three champagnes from the 2012 vintage were released, the result of the combined efforts of Penfolds’ Chief Winemaker Peter Gago, and Thienot’s Chef de Cave Nicolas Uriel. The three champagnes were made with grapes sourced from vineyards that are highly regarded for their spectacular 2012 vintage.

2012 Champagne Thiénot x Penfolds Chardonnay Pinot Noir Cuvée was released in 2019 and will be followed this year by 2012 Champagne Thiénot x Penfolds Blanc de Blancs (Avize Grand Cru) and 2012 Champagne Thiénot x Penfolds Blanc de Noirs (Aÿ Grand Cru).

 

Riojas from Finca La Emperatriz, Hermanos Hernáiz

In a more recent addition to the portfolio, Champagnes & Chateaux also represents Rioja Alta Finca La Emperatriz, Hermanos Hernáiz. Owned by brothers Eduardo and Víctor Hernáiz since 2012, the winemakers have released two pairs of white and red from the Finca La Emperatriz estate, which is named after the original owner, the once Empress of France, Eugenia de Montijo.

 

It is the first winery in Rioja to fully embrace the Bordeaux-like ‘Chateau’ concept of single top wine from a single vineyard and a ‘second wine’ to accompany it. They use the Gran Vino descriptor (like Bordeaux’s Grand Vin) and have received the Viñedo Singular certification – the highest classification in Rioja Alta. The Viñedo Singular certification is given to just 50 wineries featuring small, old plots with limited but high-quality production, which must comply with a series of strict standards to prove their quality.

 

Of the first pair released, Gran Vino Rioja Tinto is a savoury wine with tension on the palate and firm tannins. It is a naked, pure and direct expression of the estate’s terroir, with the hallmarks of a red wine suitable for ageing. If you prefer a Rioja Blanco, Finca La Emperatriz Gran Vino Rioja Blanco is a serious white that can either be enjoyed now or laid down for the next ten years.

El Jardin Tinto and El Jardin Bianco are the second pair from Finca La Emperatriz. El Jardin Rioja Tinto has a clean, classical profile, with notes of ripe fruit and spicy oak and a medium-bodied palate with good entry and very fine tannins. El Jardin Rioja Blanco is a balanced white, with freshness, persistence and a delicate touch – perfect for pairing with grilled fish.

Critically acclaimed wines from the old and new world

The new wines have been critically acclaimed in the international wine press.

Champagne Thiénot and Riojas from Finca La Emperatriz are just two highlights from the Champagnes & Chateaux list, which also includes exclusive wines from France, Italy, Austria, Hungary, and the New World.

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Orders can be placed on the website, with free delivery to most postcodes in England and Wales for orders over £120. Next day delivery is available in Central London for orders placed by 12pm.