Cuvée Charles Brut

The Cuvée Charles is the flagship of Charles Collin and shows what the house can draw from its best plots. The blend is 80% Chardonnay and 20% Pinot Noir. The Chardonnay brings clarity and finesse, while the Pinot Noir provides body and expression. The wine matures for four to five years in the house's cellars, and that time shapes the style: elegance, brilliance and purity come first.

This Brut is a champagne for the start of a meal, on its own and without accompaniment. It also copes well with fine starters, such as scallops or aged hard cheese. Serve it at 8 to 10 degrees in a wide white wine glass or a tulip glass. That lets the cuvée open up, and you can taste the depth that long ageing on the lees brings.