Champagne Theophile, Brut

Champagne Théophile is a wine made to celebrate the Art-Deco age of Paris, during which time the "Théo" was an immensely popular Champagne.

Originally established as Champagne Théophile Roederer in the 1860s, it was only a matter of time before the larger Roederer, makers of Cristal Champagne, came looking to bring it back into the fold.

Now made from the younger vines in Louis Roederer's vineyards, this is a brilliant vision of the Champagne region made with robust flavours and a rewarding, dry, rich and complex style. It's excellent value and really delicious.

During the First World War much of the Roederer's many vineyards were ruined. In the decades that followed, the house restored and replanted these vineyards, but as they were able to use far less of their own grapes, a decision was made to buy in grapes from other vineyards and create a multi-vintage blend: the first time Roederer had done so.

This became their wonderful Brut Premier, which is now their most popular and best-selling wine. Today the grapes for this wine are selected from their own cru vineyards and typically form a ratio of 40% each Pinot Noir and Chardonnay with 20% Pinot Meunier.

Théophile is made in relatively small quantities and only from fruit grown in the Marne, blended in equal part 33% Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier.