Canard-Duchéne is a champagne house from Ludes, Champagne. Founded in 1868 by Victor Canard and Leonie Duchéne, the house and vineyard sits within the Montagne du Reims National Park.
The founders originally ran the house as a family oriented business with limited official supply engagements and modest profits. This worked very well for the house just after the French Revolution, where French folk took a disliking to brands that had been associated with Aristocracy. It also helped that Napoleon Bonaparte – leader of France shortly after the revolution – had a love for Champagne and drove its popularity.
Eventually in 1890, Victor and Leonie’s son Edmond gain close access to the Russian imperial house and became official supplier to the Romanovs. As a result the house was provided with the special right to use the Russian Imperial coat of arms as the family emblem, and as such the two headed eagle now adorns every bottle of Canard-Duchéne.
The House’s wine style is driven by complex flavours with intense fruit presence.
Today we try the house’s organic offering; Parcel 181. This cuvée is made from 12 hectares of vineyards cultivated and certified in Organic Agriculture by Ecocert. It’s style is Extra Brut – noting a very low use of sugar to sweeten it up. It is a Vegan certified champagne.
Details:
From: Ludes, Champagne, France
Code: NM-137-004
Cost & Source: ~$54 a bottle (on sale) available from first choice liquor
Blend Ratio (%): Pinot Noir/Chardonnay/Pinot Meunier (30/30/40) with <6 g/l dosage.
Aging: 3 Years Minimum
Disgorged: N/A
Sipped: June 2020
Certified Vegan: Yes
In the Glass:
Look: Pale gold colour, Low bead
Smell: Sweet nose. Citric and honey
Taste: Light introduction. Slightly watery, low lemon drive. Slightly dry. Crisp and fresh when cold. Shifts to a tart note on the middle of the tongue. Bit of a coarse, acid end.
Score & Verdict:
6.0/10
At $50 (on sale) per bottle I think its decent value for the money.
Let me know if you’ve also tried this champagne and your thoughts.
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