Veuve Clicquot Demi-Sec

Veuve Clicquot Demi-Sec comes from one of the most classic and famous champagne houses in the world. Veuve Clicquot Demi-Sec, with its balance that tends towards sweet fruit flavors, is a delight for the palate of champagne lovers - and perfect for dessert. It has beautiful, golden highlights and aromas that exude ripe fruit and hints of toasted bread and brioche.

This cuvée is made up of no less than 50 individual wines. The traditional proportions for Demi-Sec are: 40-45% Pinot Noir, 30-35% Meunier and 20-25% Chardonnay.

As with all Veuve Clicquot blends, Demi-Sec is predominantly Pinot Noir (40-45%), which gives the champagne its basic structure. The pursuit of specific fruit flavors means that there is a higher level of Meunier (30-35%) in the blend than is typically found in, for example, Yellow Label. Chardonnay completes the blend (20-25%).​

30-45% reserve wines ensure that the Veuve Clicquot style is consistent. The long aging in the house's Crayères (at least 3 years for Demi-Sec) makes the champagne silky. Finally, a dosage of 45 g/L Demi-Sec gives a sweeter balance and at the same time preserves the wine's inherent freshness.

After further cellar aging (2-3 years or even more under the right conditions) Demi-Sec develops even richer notes of praline or toasted bread. It is then ideal for caramel or praline-based desserts such as tarte tatin and pears with caramel and blue cheese. We recommend that the wine be served chilled at 8-10ºC

Comments from a tasting:

"Barbe-Nicole Clicquot Ponsardin was just 27 when her husband died of a malignant fever leaving her with the winery and an eight-year-old daughter in 1805. Her aggressive export strategy to Russia during the Napoleonic wars earned her the top spot in that market for decades. This particular bubbly has a touch of white peach and tangerine sweetness that makes it perfect for glazed ham and chocolate-dipped strawberries."

92/100

Natalie MacLean, nataliemaclean.com, Feb. 18. 2012

Product information

Size: 0,75 L 
Grapes: 40-45% Pinot Noir, 30-35% Meunier, 20-25% Chardonnay
Dosage: Demi-Sec (45g/L)
Notes: citrus fruit, white peach, exotic fruits like pineapple
ABV: 12% Vol.
Made in: France, Champagne
Produced by: Veuve Clicquot, France
Including: champagne
Condition: Brand new, (may have minor imperfections from shipping)
Other information: contains sulfites