DE VENOGE, LA FLAMME & PRINCES TOUR EIFFEL
CHAMPAGNE, FRANCE
Why Buy: Given the extraordinary pedigree on offer, and the soaring quality De Venoge is known for, it’s a wonder these Champagnes are not more expensive. Take the two bottles that this legendary house has just unveiled — La Flamme 2018, and Princes Tour Eiffel NV (a celebration of the 135th anniversary of the Eiffel Tower). We're happy to report that we've secured a small allocation of these beauties, and, even better, that we're able to make them available today to our Concierge Family for 25% off! At these prices, we think they're wines to buy by the case – especially if, like us, you think Champagne goes with everything from caviar to (yes, truly) fried chicken, and makes any occasion that much better and brighter.
The Story: The de Venoge family, Swiss immigrants to France, established their Champagne house in Épernay, in 1837 – or, two years before Louis Daguerre patented his culture-altering camera in France. Founder Henri-Marc de Venoge did not patent his own methods, but he might as well have, given the unerring quality and consistency he and his descendants have managed, miraculously, to maintain for nearly two centuries. Central to their success has been the exceptional attention to detail they have lavished upon the winemaking process, from the planting of the grapes all the way to the bottling of the wines. Grapes are sourced from the best crus, only free-run and first-press juice is used, long aging periods far surpass the legal requirements, and low dosage allows plot and vineyard individuality to shine through. Although the vast majority of Champagne houses have a “house” style, wine lovers know: it's the top vintage cuvées that truly speak to the remarkable and varied terroir of the region.
Our Tasting Notes: La Flamme boasts a vibrant, almost flamboyant nose, with notes of dry fruit and gingerbread that only hint at the feast to come. The palate is round, complex, and rich, and as the experience unfolds, you don't know which to be more captivated by — the energy and vivacity, or the mesmerizing perlage of these fine, delicate bubbles. An almost perfect cross between the power of a superior Pinot Noir with all the elegance of a great Chardonnay. (Note: the bottle, intended to pay honor to de Venoge's 19th century townhouse, was designed by the great Jacques Grüber, an icon of the Nancy school, and is a one-off, never to be repeated.) The Champagnes in the Princes line thread a very difficult needle, being both marvelously elegant and (for the remarkable quality) remarkably inexpensive, and this one is certainly no exception. We lingered over the complex, deeply developed aromatics, and were struck, again and again, at how a Champagne with such a marvelously silken mousse manages, somehow, to contain so much strength and structure.
What to Pair Them With: caviar; oysters on the half shell, or lightly roasted; ripened cheeses; pâtés; fried chicken.
Fun Fact: Henri-Marc de Venoge, the house's founder, did not just make great Champagne; he was also an innovator, and is credited with creating the first-ever illustrated label in the region's history.
Our Guarantee: Ensuring that your wines arrive in your hands with pristine provenance is of the utmost importance to us. We always buy and source directly from the estate, and work hard at every step of a complex process to guarantee their smooth and safe delivery. Don't hesitate to secure your wines today!
*Offer NOT valid in-store. This offer is made pre-arrival, with wines estimated to be delivered to your preferred store in Summer 2024. All sale prices are the lowest available at Total Wine & More and ONLY valid through Concierge Sales. No further discounts or coupons may be applied. Offer not valid in KS, MI, NY, or TN. This offer is for ONE WEEK, or until sold out, and will expire on Wednesday, May 8th, 2024.
