Champagne Gremillet Forget-me-not Brut NV, Organic

Champagne Gremillet Forget-me-not is the family’s certified organic cuvée, made from the house’s own six hectares of organically farmed vines in the Côte des Bar. The forget-me-not flower was chosen as its emblem because its Latin name, Myosotis, is linked to the Gremillet name. The blend is about 80% Pinot Noir and 20% Chardonnay. Around three quarters of the base wine is kept in stainless steel, and up to a quarter spends six months in 300-litre French oak barrels, mostly older, before the second fermentation in bottle.

Gremillet Forget-me-not is rich and complex. The nose shows ripe orchard fruit with brioche, toasted nuts, a subtle hint of vanilla and undergrowth. The palate is full and juicy, with a fine, persistent mousse and a flavoursome, elegant finish.

With its fuller style it pairs well with richer fish such as red mullet or salmon, and with game birds like wood pigeon, duck or guinea fowl, as well as creamy cheeses. Serve chilled at 8–10°C in a white wine glass. Champagne Gremillet Forget-me-not is ready to enjoy now and will keep for a couple of years.

Champagne Gremillet is a family house in Balnot-sur-Laignes, in the Côte des Bar at the southern tip of Champagne in the Aube. Jean-Michel Gremillet began making his own Champagne in 1979, starting from a small plot of vines inherited from his mother. Today his children, Anne and Jean-Christophe, run the house with their spouses, with Jean-Christophe as winemaker. The family estate covers around 40 hectares, where Pinot Noir thrives on the region’s limestone soils, alongside Chardonnay, and they also buy grapes from partner growers. Gremillet has six hectares of certified organic vines, used for its Forget-me-not cuvée. The style is generous and fruit-forward, reflecting the ripe Pinot Noir of the Côte des Bar.