SPECIAL CLUB CHAMPAGNE

Champagne is synonymous with celebration, elegance and refinement. Among the many houses and vintages available, some stand out for their exceptional quality and authenticity. This is the case of Club Trésors de Champagne and its prestigious “Special Club” cuvée. In this article, we invite you to dive into the world of this association of independent winemakers, recognized for its commitment to excellence and preservation of the terroirs. Together, we will explore the Club’s history, its iconic members and, of course, the “Special Club” cuvée, which embodies the know-how and passion of these champagne artisans. Get ready for a virtual tasting rich in discovery and flavor!

The Trésors de Champagne Club and its exceptional cuvée “Special Club”

The Club Trésors de Champagne, an association of passionate and talented winegrowers, is the cradle of an exceptional cuvée: the “Special Club”. This prestigious appellation is reserved for the best vintages and testifies to the high standards of quality and know-how of the Club members. Indeed, to qualify for this distinction, the champagnes must meet strict criteria and be made with respect for tradition and the terroir.

The objective of this article is to introduce you to the Trésors de Champagne Club, its members and their commitment to excellence, as well as the famous “Special Club” vintage. You will be introduced to the history and values of this unique association, and you will dive into the world of independent winemakers who perpetuate an ancestral know-how. Finally, we will introduce you to the “Special Club” cuvée, a true jewel of Champagne production, which embodies the best of the region and the talent of its craftsmen. Get ready for an exciting journey to the heart of the Champagne region!

History and presentation of the Trésors de Champagne Club

The creation of the Club in 1971

The Trésors de Champagne Club, also known as the “Special Club”, was created in 1971. It was the initiative of a group of independent Champagne winemakers and was created to promote the quality and authenticity of the champagnes produced by its members. These champagne craftsmen, aware of the richness of their terroir and the diversity of their know-how, decided to unite to promote together the excellence of their vintages.

To promote the excellence of the champagnes of independent winegrowers

The main mission of the Trésors de Champagne Club is to promote the excellence of the champagnes produced by its members. To do so, the Club is committed to promote the diversity of the Champagne terroirs and the specificities of each winemaker, while guaranteeing the quality and the typicity of the vintages. Emphasis is placed on the respect of traditions, the preservation of the environment and the transmission of know-how from generation to generation.

Selection criteria and members’ commitments

To join the Trésors de Champagne Club and to be able to propose “Special Club” vintages, the winegrowers must respect strict specifications and meet rigorous selection criteria:

Grow their own vines and elaborate their champagne on their estate.

• Offer only the best vintages for the “Special Club” appellation.
• To age their champagnes on lees for at least three years (compared to 15 months for a non-vintage champagne and 36 months for a vintage champagne according to the Champagne appellation).
• Submit their champagnes to a blind tasting by a committee of experts, who must approve them before they are put on the market.
• These criteria guarantee the exceptional quality of the “Special Club” champagnes and testify to the commitment of the Trésors de Champagne Club members to excellence and authenticity.
• The “Special Club” cuvée

Production requirements: selection of the best vintages, aging on lees, blind tasting

The “Special Club” cuvée is the flagship of the Trésors de Champagne Club. To deserve this appellation, the champagnes must meet high production requirements. Only the best vintages are selected, thus testifying to the excellence and aging potential of these cuvées. Aging on the lees lasts a minimum of three years, allowing the champagnes to develop complex aromas and a rich texture in the mouth. Finally, a blind tasting by a committee of experts ensures that only the most outstanding champagnes receive the “Special Club” designation.

Grape varieties used: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier

The “Special Club” champagnes are made from the three main grape varieties of the Champagne region: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. Each grape variety brings specific characteristics to the cuvée, thus contributing to the diversity and richness of the Trésors de Champagne Club champagnes. The Chardonnay gives elegance and finesse, the Pinot Noir gives structure and power, while the Pinot Meunier offers fruitiness and roundness.

The diversity of the terroirs and the know-how of the winemakers

The main mission of the Trésors de Champagne Club is to promote the excellence of the champagnes produced by its members. To do so, the Club is committed to promote the diversity of the Champagne terroirs and the specificities of each winemaker, while guaranteeing the quality and the typicity of the vintages. Emphasis is placed on the respect of traditions, the preservation of the environment and the transmission of know-how from generation to generation.

Selection criteria and members’ commitments

To join the Trésors de Champagne Club and to be able to propose “Special Club” vintages, the winegrowers must respect strict specifications and meet rigorous selection criteria:

• Grow their own vines and elaborate their champagne on their estate.
• Offer only the best vintages for the “Special Club” appellation.
• To age their champagnes on lees for at least three years (compared to 15 months for a non-vintage champagne and 36 months for a vintage champagne according to the Champagne appellation).
• Submit their champagnes to a blind tasting by a committee of experts, who must approve them before they are put on the market.

These criteria guarantee the exceptional quality of the “Special Club” champagnes and testify to the commitment of the Trésors de Champagne Club members to excellence and authenticity.

The “Special Club” cuvée

a. Production requirements: selection of the best vintages, aging on lees, blind tasting

The “Special Club” cuvée is the flagship of the Trésors de Champagne Club. To deserve this appellation, the champagnes must meet high production requirements. Only the best vintages are selected, thus testifying to the excellence and aging potential of these cuvées. Aging on the lees lasts a minimum of three years, allowing the champagnes to develop complex aromas and a rich texture in the mouth. Finally, a blind tasting by a committee of experts ensures that only the most outstanding champagnes receive the “Special Club” designation.

b. Grape varieties used: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier

The “Special Club” champagnes are made from the three main grape varieties of the Champagne region: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. Each grape variety brings specific characteristics to the cuvée, thus contributing to the diversity and richness of the Trésors de Champagne Club champagnes. The Chardonnay gives elegance and finesse, the Pinot Noir gives structure and power, while the Pinot Meunier offers fruitiness and roundness.

c. The diversity of the terroirs and the know-how of the winemakers

The “Special Club” cuvée is a true showcase of the diversity of the Champagne terroirs and the know-how of the independent winemakers. Each member of the Trésors de Champagne Club uses his expertise and his intimate knowledge of his terroir to produce exceptional champagnes. The working methods vary from one estate to another, but all are guided by the search for quality, respect for the environment and the enhancement of the wine heritage. Thus, the “Special Club” cuvée offers a unique taste experience that reflects the soul and personality of each winemaker.

The emblematic members of the Trésors de Champagne Club

The Trésors de Champagne Club brings together a selection of independent winemakers who are distinguished by their commitment to the quality and authenticity of their champagnes. Among the Club’s members are renowned houses that have made a name for themselves in the wine world.

a. Presentation of some of the houses with which grace under pressure works 

Here are some examples of emblematic houses of the Trésors de Champagne Club, which perfectly illustrate the excellence and diversity of the “Special Club” champagnes:

• Forget-Chemin: Located in Ludes, in the Montagne de Reims, Forget-Chemin is a family-run business that produces elegant and expressive champagnes. Thanks to a careful work of the vine and a meticulous vinification, their vintages emphasize the richness of their soil.
• Hervieux-Dumez : This family estate, located in Sacy, produces champagnes that reflect the excellence of their terroir and the know-how of previous generations. Hervieux-Dumez pays particular attention to the quality of its grapes and to the preservation of the environment.
• Fresnet-Juillet : Located in Passy-Grigny, the Frenest-Julliet house cultivates its vines with passion and respect for nature. Their champagnes are the fruit of an ancestral know-how, combining tradition and modernity to offer harmonious and greedy vintages.
• Loriot-Pagel : Established in Festigny, the Loriot-Pagel house is known for its fruity and generous champagnes, which fully express the character of their terroir. The Loriot-Pagel family cultivates its vines respecting the natural balance and implementing sustainable viticultural practices.
• Charlier et Fils : Located in Montigny-sous-Châtillon, the Charlier et Fils house distinguishes itself by its champagnes elaborated with care and precision. Their cuvées, mainly composed of Pinot Meunier, seduce by their freshness and their aromatic finesse.
• Vincent Joudart : Located in Chigny-les-Roses, the Vincent Judart estate produces champagnes that combine finesse, elegance and aromatic richness. Their know-how and their passion for the vine are transmitted from generation to generation, guaranteeing the constant quality of their vintages.
• Sanchez-Le Guédard : The Sanchez-Le Guédard house, located in Binson-et-Orquigny, is a family business that focuses on the quality of the grapes and the respect of traditions. Their champagnes reflect their terroir and their commitment to excellence.
• Champagne Salmon : Located in Chaumuzy, Champagne Salmon produces champagnes that highlight the diversity of the Champagne grape varieties. Thanks to meticulous work on the vines and precise vinification, their champagnes seduce with their balance and aromatic complexity.

These houses, members of the Trésors de Champagne Club, perfectly illustrate the diversity and the richness of the champagnes elaborated by the independent wine growers. Each of them testifies to the excellence and know-how that characterize the “Special Club” cuvées.

b. The importance of independence and the transmission of family know-how

The members of the Trésors de Champagne Club attach great importance to their independence and to the transmission of the family know-how. This independence allows them to cultivate their vineyards and to elaborate their champagnes according to their own methods and convictions, in accordance with the values of the Club. The transmission of the family know-how, from generation to generation, guarantees the durability of this unique viticultural heritage and the continuity of the excellence of the “Special Club” champagnes.

Tasting and food and wine pairing

a. Tips to fully appreciate the “Special Club” cuvée

To fully appreciate the “Special Club” cuvée, here are some tasting tips:

• Serving temperature: Serve the champagne between 8 and 10 degrees Celsius. A too cold temperature would mask the aromas, while a too high temperature would accentuate the bitterness and the alcohol.
• Choice of glass: Choose a flute or, even better, a white wine glass with a slight flare, which will allow the aromas to develop and the champagne’s aromatic palette to be better perceived.
• Tasting: Take the time to observe the color of the champagne, to smell its aromas and to savor its texture in the mouth. Do not hesitate to taste several times to appreciate the evolution of the flavors and aromas.

b. Food and wine pairing suggestions to enhance the flavors of the cuvée

• The “Special Club” cuvée goes well with a wide variety of dishes. Here are a few suggestions for pairing to enhance the flavors of this exceptional cuvée:
• Aperitif: The “Special Club” cuvée is ideal as an aperitif, accompanied by elaborate canapés, seafood, sushi or tapas.
• Appetizers : For an appetizer, choose dishes based on fine fish, shellfish or seasonal vegetables. For example, a lobster salad, scallop carpaccio or asparagus risotto.
• Main dishes: The “Special Club” champagne goes very well with firm-fleshed fish such as turbot, sea bass or salmon, but also with roasted poultry or poultry in a light sauce, such as chicken with champagne or duck with citrus fruit.
• Cheeses: The champagne “Special Club” can be enjoyed with soft and bloomy cheeses, such as Brie or Camembert, but also with pressed cooked cheeses such as Comté.
• Desserts: For desserts, opt for light and fruity preparations, such as a red fruit soufflé, a citrus tart or an exotic fruit panna cotta. Avoid desserts that are too sweet or chocolatey, which could mask the delicate flavors of the champagne.

These food and wine pairing suggestions will allow you to enhance the flavors of the “Special Club” vintage and fully enjoy the taste experience it offers.

Conclusion

In this article, we have explored the Trésors de Champagne Club and its exceptional cuvee, “Special Club”. Founded in 1971, the Club brings together independent winemakers committed to promoting excellence and highlighting the terroirs of Champagne. The members of the Club follow rigorous selection criteria to elaborate their “Special Club” cuvée, which must come from the best vintages and be aged on lees for a minimum of three years.

The “Special Club” champagnes are made from the region’s emblematic grape varieties, namely Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, and reflect the know-how and diversity of the terroirs of the member winemakers. Emblematic houses such as Forget-Chemin, Hervieux-Dumez, Fresnet-Juillet, Loriot-Pagel, Charlier et Fils, Vincent Joudart, Sanchez-Le Guédard and Champagne Salmon are part of the Club Trésors de Champagne. To fully appreciate the “Special Club” cuvée, we have proposed tasting tips as well as food and wine pairing suggestions. Finally, we have mentioned the points of sale and the events where it is possible to find and buy these exceptional champagnes.

We strongly encourage you to discover and taste the champagnes of the Trésors de Champagne Club and their “Special Club” vintage. These sparkling wines are the fruit of an ancestral know-how, a passion for the vine and a commitment to excellence. Tasting these champagnes will offer you a unique taste experience, revealing the diversity of the Champagne terroirs and the talent of the independent winegrowers. So, don’t hesitate to let yourself be seduced by these exceptional vintages and to share this experience with your loved ones during special moments.