Renard-Barnier Champagne Brut Cuvee Speciale

This small, family-run Champagne house just south of Épernay has a rich history dating back to the early 1900s, when it was founded by the great-great Grandfather of the current owner. Over the decades, it has maintained traditional techniques while embracing innovation, ensuring every bottle reflects its heritage.

They produce their wonderful Blanc de Noirs blend with an equal balance of Champagne’s two black grapes, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. These two grapes combine their characteristics of weight and ability to age with a softer fruit style. Apart from careful winemaking, the secret here is that the wine is aged for at least three years before release, allowing the cuvée to develop its fresh, lightly biscuit aroma and fully flavored palate.

When you are ready to serve this wonderful Champagne, please pop the cork but let it warm a few degrees before serving. Because this is a Blanc de Noirs Champagne, meaning only red grapes were used, it shows notes of fresh-baked biscuits and brioche. Those aromas intertwine with hints of ripe apple, tangerine, red currants, and jasmine. The palate is creamy and broad, with enough tension to make this perfect for drinking by itself or with stone crab claws, peel-and-eat shrimp, or sautéed chicken breasts with lemon and capers.