Dosage

As with Champagne Duval-Leroy Douceur Dry Reserve (25 g/l) which we offered last month on wineguru.com.sg, Champagne Duval-Leroy Demi-Sec (45 g/l) has the incredible benefit of 5-year extended Bottle Age

DOSAGE

Dosage is the final step before a bottle of champagne is corked, wired up, rested for some time, and then sent out to the waiting world.

The quantity of the dosage is strictly regulated.

• Brut Nature/Zero Dosage No dosage added. It is, however, natural that even after the first and secondary fermentations a champagne will contain a tiny amount of sugar which is unfermentable. Because of that, less than 3 grams per litre ­– written as 3 g/l – qualifies as Brut Nature or Zero Dosage
• Extra Brut less than 6 g/l
• Brut less than 12 g/l
• Extra Dry 12 to 17 g/l
• Sec/Dry 17 to 32 g/l
• Demi-Sec 32 to 50 g/l
• Doux more than 50 g/l

BOTTLE AGE

After a champagne has been disgorged and bottled, if the wine stays in the same bottle for a longer time, it becomes more evolved, complex and more delicious.

The originally frisky bubbles become tamed.

The fruit shines more radiantly.

Bottle Age is a magical transformation.

It is to live, drink and to die for!!!

TASTING NOTES

Champagne Duval-Leroy Demi Sec NV 

Honeyish, brioche, and slightly nutty. Delicious fruitiness that shines over the sweetness. Dominated by 90% Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier with Chardonnay making up the 10% balance, Duval-Leroy was founded in 1859 and remains proudly family-owned and family-managed. In 2007, Carol Duval-Leroy became the first woman ever to be made Chairman of the Association Viticole Champenoise, the region’s association of winemakers.

Champagne Duval-Leroy Femme de Champagne Grand Cru Brut

Although the vintage is not reflected on the label, this is the 2004 harvest. Femme de Champagne is the prestige cuvée of the house. Ripe appley cider and citrussy fruit. Brioche and a shade of nuttiness has set in. Richness, complexity, persistence, and loads of vivacity in the same sip. The wine had a minimum 8 years on lees in bottle. The blend is 80% Chardonnay and 20% Pinot Noir, all of which is from Grand Cru villages: Avize, Chouilly and Le Mesnil sur Oger for Chardonnay, and Ambonnay for Pinot Noir.

Champagne Duval-Leroy Femme de Champagne 2004 (375 ml half-bottle)

Although both wines are of the same year, a slightly different expression from the Grand Cru Brut. So too the blend which is 87% Chardonnay and 13% Pinot Noir. Being half-bottle, the evolution is slightly more advanced. Bright mid-gold. Tiny, persistent, irrepressible bubbles. Brioche, hazel nutty, intense lemon peel, and sandalwood. Complex, firm, dry and very fresh. Wonderful Bottle Age!