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Champagne Serge Mathieu

The Serge Mathieu champagne House is located in the small village of Avirey-Lingey, in the Aube départment. The Aube is about a two-hour drive south of Epernay, and once one leaves the Côte de Blancs, there are really no vines in sight. Chablis is another 45 minutes down the road from Avirey-Lingey, which would make you think that this would be prime chardonnay territory. In fact, it is prime pinot noir territory, and about 85% of the Aube is planted with pinot noir.

The domaine started marketing bottles in the early 1970. After Serge retired, his son-in-law, Michel Jacob, took over wine growing and winemaking duties. Serge's daughter Isabelle is in charge of the commercial side of the business.

While the vineyards are not organically grown, Michel severely restricts the amount of unnatural products on his vines and soil. Recently the négociant Billecart-Salmon has been buying pinot noir from Serge Mathieu, recongnizing the excellence of Michel's raw material.

Brut Tradition: 100% Pinot Noir. Aging takes place in the cellars for three years. Golden yellow color, deep, very fruity and long on the palate. This full-bodied champagne perfectly suits rich flavored meals. It is a real hedonistic champagne.

Brut Prestige: This well-matured Brut champagne (four years) is 2/3 pinot noir and 1/3 chardonnay. Pale gold color, delicate, distinguished hazelnut bouquet, light, tiny bubbles, nice exotic fruit flavors, well-balanced, subtle and harmonious. Ideal before lunchtime or dinner, and even more delicate with sweet-salty meals.

Brut Rosé: This full-bodied fresh brut is made from 100% pinot noir. Firm mousse and tiny bubbles, it is rich on the palate with a light and delightful red fruit taste. Ideal to start a pleasant evening or took deep for a special romantic meal.

Brut Millésimé: This vintage champagne (currently the 1998) is made with 2/3 pinot noir and 1/3 chardonnay. Its five-year aging process gives it a gold/yellow color. This full-bodied champagne develops very rich and complex aromas, notes of ripe plum on the palate and a very long toasted bread-scented finish. A racy champagne for meals.

Brut Sélect: The grand cuvée of the maison. During the harvest, the very finest grapes from the very best vineyard sites are selected and only the first press juice is used. This tete de cuvée is four to five years old and is made with 50% chardonnay and 50% pinot noir. It is generous and harmonious, with fine, delicate citrus notes on the palate. A bottle for special occassions.

Fragrant nose of pie crust, toasted bread, cherry and cooked apple; similar flavors on the palate plus melon and lemon; rich and creamy with bright acidity.

— The San Francisco Chronicle, December 2004