A Grand Cru made up of five different vineyards has just been released by Champagne Mumm.
The idea of creating a wine from five distinct terroirs was the brainchild of Mumm cellar master Dominique Demarville.
The non-vintage Grand Cru is made of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from vineyards surrounding the villages of Avize, Cramant, Bouzy, Ay and Verzenay. It contains 18% reserve wines from vintages going back to 1998.
Demarville said, ‘For me the key is in understanding the personality and unique character of each grand cru and the part it plays in the final blend.’
In order to illustrate how each village contributes its own character to the blend, Demarville asked British chef Gordon Ramsay – and his executive sommelier Ronan Sayburn and head chef Mark Sargeant – to put together a five-course menu, each dish of which would complement one vineyard.
This menu was presented to the press last week at a lunch at Ramsay’s restaurant in Claridges in Mayfair, London.
Ramsay described the Mumm Grand Cru as ‘young, vibrant and sexy’. He said, ‘It’s been an amazingly difficult task. Normally you choose your menu and then find a wine to match. This time it’s the other way round. We’ve been working two and a half months to put together the menu.’
Serena Sutcliffe MW, head of Sothebys wine department, was very impressed with the wine. ‘I think it was very good and complex – it’s wonderful that he has reduced the dosage, which brings out the clarity of the wine. Pairing one Champagne with an entire meal was a great experience because the wine was so good. You really had to work your taste buds.’
She added she thought Demarville had ‘worked miracles’ at Champagne Mumm since taking over in 1998. ‘He’s made a tremendous difference.’
Mumm Grand Cru will be available by the glass in Gordon Ramsay restaurants and from Waitrose in the autumn priced around £30.
Written by Adam Lechmere
