Champagne Jacquesson

Champagne Jacquesson: A Legacy of Excellence Available on 12bouteilles.com

Champagne Jacquesson is more than just a sparkling wine; it embodies a legacy, a passion, and an expertise that has been perpetuated for over two centuries. Founded in 1798, the Jacquesson estate has traversed the ages while remaining true to its values of excellence, quality, and authenticity. These exceptional wines, available online at 12bouteilles.com, captivate enthusiasts and connoisseurs around the world today.

History of the Jacquesson Estate

The story of Champagne Jacquesson begins in Dizy, a small village at the heart of the Champagne region. The founder, Memmie Jacquesson, established the house in 1798, at a time when Champagne was just starting to gain notoriety. What quickly set Jacquesson apart from other houses was its constant pursuit of quality and innovation. From the early years, the house drew attention, notably from Napoleon Bonaparte, who awarded Memmie Jacquesson a medal for the exceptional quality of his wines.

Over the following centuries, the estate underwent significant transformations. In 1974, the Chiquet family took over and aimed to restore its former glory. Jean-Hervé and Laurent Chiquet, heirs of this prestigious house, adopted an artisanal and sustainable approach, emphasizing each terroir and vintage.

Under the guidance of the Chiquet family, Jacquesson chose to reduce its production to focus on more complex wines, highlighting the expression of the terroir. Each cuvée is the result of meticulous blending that reflects the specific characteristics of the cultivated parcels. This unique approach makes Champagne Jacquesson one of the most respected estates in the region today, sought after for its distinctive character and remarkable aging potential.

The Wines of Jacquesson Estate

Jacquesson's range of champagnes is distinguished by its refinement, structure, and aromatic richness. Unlike many houses, Jacquesson focuses on vintage cuvées that express the best of each year and each vineyard plot. One of the house's signatures is the 700 Series Cuvées, numbered according to the vintage year, reflecting the exceptional quality of the harvested grapes.

The 700 Series Cuvées

The 700 Series Cuvées are the jewel of Jacquesson. These are non-vintage champagnes that vary from year to year to capture the essence of each harvest. Each cuvée is made from a base of a specific vintage, often blended with carefully selected reserve wines. This results in deep, expressive champagnes capable of aging beautifully. The 700 Series Cuvée is a true work of art, where every detail is designed to enhance the characteristics of grapes from the finest terroirs.

Vintage Champagnes

In addition to the 700 Series, Jacquesson produces exceptional vintage champagnes from specific parcels like Dizy, Avize, or Ay. These champagnes, produced only in the best years, are pure reflections of their original terroir. Each bottle tells a story of the land, the climate, and the winemakers' expertise.

Prestigious Parcels

Some of Jacquesson's rarest cuvées come from specific parcels known as "lieux-dits." Champagnes from these plots, such as Dizy Corne Bautray, Avize Champ Caïn, or Ay Vauzelle Terme, are wines of remarkable depth and complexity, reserved for enlightened enthusiasts. Each of these cuvées is produced in extremely limited quantities, making them prized collector's items in the wine world.

Grape Varieties and Blends

Champagne Jacquesson is a model of balance, thanks to the skillful blending of three emblematic Champagne grape varieties: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier.

• Chardonnay: This white grape is renowned for its finesse and minerality. It brings freshness, elegance, and a lovely acidity to Jacquesson champagnes.
• Pinot Noir: Powerful and structured, Pinot Noir gives the wines their backbone and aromas of red and black fruits.
• Pinot Meunier: Less used at Jacquesson, it still plays a role in certain cuvées, adding roundness and suppleness.

The blends vary depending on the cuvées, but what sets Jacquesson apart is the attention to the expression of each grape variety and their complementarity, creating balanced and harmonious wines that are also complex and profound.

Winemaking Techniques

The Jacquesson house favors artisanal and environmentally friendly winemaking methods. The Chiquet brothers believe that the terroir should express itself with as little intervention as possible.

The estate has gradually adopted an organic approach without seeking official certification. The goal is to limit the use of chemicals and encourage biodiversity in the vineyards. This sustainable viticulture allows grapes to ripen optimally while preserving soil quality and vine health.

Jacquesson is one of the few houses to practice fermentation in oak barrels. This traditional method allows micro-oxygenation that refines the wines' aromas and texture. By letting the wines develop slowly, Jacquesson creates champagnes of great depth that are both complex and subtle.

Another hallmark of the estate is the extended aging of its champagnes on lees. This process develops tertiary aromas (toasted bread, brioche, dried fruits), bringing unique richness and complexity to the wines.

Food and Wine Pairings

Thanks to their structure and complexity, Jacquesson champagnes lend themselves to a wide range of gastronomic pairings. Here are some suggestions to enhance these exceptional wines:

• 700 Series Cuvée: With its finesse and minerality, it pairs perfectly with seafood, oysters, or scallop carpaccio. Its freshness also balances richer dishes like foie gras.
• Vintage Champagne: The power and complexity of vintage champagnes make them ideal for white meats, fish in sauce, or mushroom-based dishes.
• Prestigious Parcels: Champagnes from lieux-dits are perfect for accompanying more complex dishes such as truffle risotto, roasted langoustines, or aged cheeses.

Awards and Recognitions

Champagne Jacquesson is regularly praised by international critics. Guides like La Revue du Vin de France, Wine Spectator, and Decanter consistently award exceptional scores to its cuvées. The 700 Series Cuvées, in particular, have received numerous accolades for their quality and aging potential.

• Cuvée 742: Rated 95/100 by Wine Advocate
• Dizy Corne Bautray 2008: Rated 96/100 by Decanter
• Avize Champ Caïn 2012: Awarded as one of the best terroir champagnes

These distinctions enhance Jacquesson's prestige and confirm its place among the best Champagne houses.

Where to Buy Jacquesson Wines?

To discover or rediscover Jacquesson champagnes, it's simple: visit 12bouteilles.com. This specialized site offers a varied selection of the most beautiful cuvées from Maison Jacquesson, delivered directly to your door.

Whether you're looking for a bottle for a special occasion or a rare cuvée to enrich your cellar, 12bouteilles.com offers a smooth and secure shopping experience, with responsive customer service and fast delivery.

FAQ: Champagne Jacquesson

What sets Champagne Jacquesson apart from other houses? Champagne Jacquesson stands out for its constant pursuit of quality and authenticity. The estate is committed to producing wines that reflect their terroir, using artisanal winemaking methods and meticulous blends.

Which grape varieties are used at Jacquesson? Jacquesson champagnes are primarily composed of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, with Pinot Meunier used to a lesser extent. Each grape variety contributes specific characteristics that enhance the balance of the cuvées.

Where can I buy Jacquesson champagnes? You can purchase Jacquesson champagnes online at 12bouteilles.com, which offers a wide selection of the house's cuvées.

Can Jacquesson champagnes age? Yes, Jacquesson champagnes, especially the 700 Series and vintages, have excellent aging potential. They gain complexity and richness over time.

What are the best food pairings with Champagne Jacquesson? Jacquesson champagnes pair very well with seafood, white meats, mushroom-based dishes, and aged cheeses.

What are Jacquesson's most emblematic cuvées? The 700 Series Cuvées and the champagnes from parcels like Dizy Corne Bautray or Avize Champ Caïn are among the house's most emblematic offerings.