This bottle of organic champagne turned out to be rather more than I had hoped. Upon receipt of my gift from Amanda Webb at Feelgood Organic Hampers <http://www.feelgoodhampers.com/index.htm> I discovered that this is also biodynamically produced.
Regarding the champagne itself, regardless of its origin, it was tasted on Christmas Day and boy did we have a nice surprise. My Mom, who isn't really into champagne described it as being the nicest champagne she'd ever tasted and that she would certainly be buying more of the same for special occasions.
Although described as Brut this champagne was not overly dry; nor was it sweet. It was just perfect! Unlike many champagnes which I have tasted (I love champagne!) the Fleur de l'Europe lacks something which I can only describe as the scent of aldehydes.
I recently discovered aldehydes while sipping good quality champagne at a Channel No 5 workshop. Coco Chanel had insisted on aldehydes being included in her famous scent which bear a remarkable resemblance to the bouquet of champagne! Fleur de l'Europe does not bear this aroma and frankly, nor does it need it...
The palette is at once surrounded with the flavour of the fruit from which the champagne is produced. Unlike grape juice, which I find to be sweet and unpalatable the Fleur de l'Europe has an edge to it which is at once citrussy and soft. In terms of bubbles, there were plenty but not too many or too frequent like some champagnes...
Sadly the bottle came to an end rather too quickly; although I dare say there will be others.
