Cuvée Alain Thiénot 2008

The Cuvée Alain Thiénot is the house's prestige cuvée and is made only in outstanding years. The 2008 is a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot, carried by a vintage widely regarded as great. The house describes it as a champagne of great complexity, freshness and harmony. Add to that persistence and concentration, which give it drive and depth. If you are looking for a vintage champagne with structure and tension, this is one that can take time in the glass.

Serve it at 10 to 12 °C in a large white wine glass, not too cold, so that it can open up. Thin slices of cured ham work with it as an aperitif, and at the table white meat or fine shellfish. Take the bottle out of the ice bucket half an hour before pouring; it does it good.