The blend stems from four ‘grands crus’ from the Côte des Blancs – the villages of Oger, Chouilly, Avize and Le Mesnil – complemented by a velvety touch of Chardonnay from Villers-Marmery on the Montagne de Reims.

With five years’ maturation on the lees, the 2014 Blanc de Blancs reveals a delicate nose of white flowers and meadow flowers on first pour, lifted by menthol notes. Its second nose subsequently reveals chalk and citrus-driven notes, Meyer lemon to be precise.

The palate beguiles with its incredible surge in power, halfway between tension and minerality, and its substantial length supported by a particularly dense, fine chalky structure.

The ideal partner? Freshness is the obvious choice – seafood or sashimi make the perfect match for its delicate lemony notes. A more exotic alternative would be Thai specialities or acacia flower tempura which also make excellent tasting companions.