On offer

The Society's Champagne Brut NV

Champagne from France - Champagne

39 Reviews

Another full house of top scores for this luxurious sparkler from boutique producer Alfred Gratien. The superlatives kept coming from our Wine Champions tasting panellists: 'absolutely delicious', 'wonderful finesse', 'rich and refreshing'. A well deserved Wine Champion.

£34.00 Bottle

£204.00 £170.00 Case of 6

In Stock

Price History

Date	Bottle	Case of 6
11/08/21	£34.00	£170.00
15/11/21	£34.00	£204.00
08/02/22	£34.00	£170.00

Code: CH331

Wine characteristics

Champagne
1 - Bone dry
Pinot Noir Meunier Chardonnay
75cl
Within three years of purchase
12.5% Alcohol
oak used but not v. noticeable
Champagne cork

Discover what makes our Society’s Champagne so special with buyer Sarah Knowles MW. Video transcript

Champagne Alfred Gratien

The Wine Society first started working with Gratien in 1906, making it one of our oldest suppliers. To mark the 100th anniversary of our business relations in 2006 we launched a centenary cuvée which was a resounding success with members.

Based in the heart of Epernay, Gratien has deservedly earned its place as a top Champagne house over the years and its approach is very much quality-driven. Indeed its owner, Alfred Gratien used to compare his Champagne to haute couture. For much of this time, the company was family-owned but then was sold to the German sparkling wine specialist, Henkell & Söhnlein, who immediately began to use their extensive wealth to good effect, making essential repairs, buying vineyards and allowing for modest expansion, without in any way challenging Gratien’s devotion to the old methods of making great Champagne.

These include fermentation in small oak casks, which are bought second-hand from the Chablisienne cooperative in Chablis. Each cru is vinified apart and such is Gratien’s reputation that they are able to buy grapes from top producers and from choice grand and premier cru villages. Though ownership has changed, the cellar master has not: indeed, this all-important job has been in the same family for four generations. Nicolas Jaeger, the present cellar master is very much in charge, though his father is still influential in perpetuating relations with grape suppliers.

The Jaeger family comes from the small village of Reuil in the Marne...

The Wine Society first started working with Gratien in 1906, making it one of our oldest suppliers. To mark the 100th anniversary of our business relations in 2006 we launched a centenary cuvée which was a resounding success with members.

Based in the heart of Epernay, Gratien has deservedly earned its place as a top Champagne house over the years and its approach is very much quality-driven. Indeed its owner, Alfred Gratien used to compare his Champagne to haute couture. For much of this time, the company was family-owned but then was sold to the German sparkling wine specialist, Henkell & Söhnlein, who immediately began to use their extensive wealth to good effect, making essential repairs, buying vineyards and allowing for modest expansion, without in any way challenging Gratien’s devotion to the old methods of making great Champagne.

These include fermentation in small oak casks, which are bought second-hand from the Chablisienne cooperative in Chablis. Each cru is vinified apart and such is Gratien’s reputation that they are able to buy grapes from top producers and from choice grand and premier cru villages. Though ownership has changed, the cellar master has not: indeed, this all-important job has been in the same family for four generations. Nicolas Jaeger, the present cellar master is very much in charge, though his father is still influential in perpetuating relations with grape suppliers.

The Jaeger family comes from the small village of Reuil in the Marne Valley where pinot meunier is the majority grape and has an important role to play here. The meunier works well with barrel fermentation but only if the malolactic fermentation – the conversion of sharp, malic acidity to softer, lactic acidity after the alcoholic fermentation – is suppressed. Gratien wines do not undergo the malo and because of that, they need longer cellaring to enable acidity levels to settle. Non-vintage bottlings, for example, are not released until 3 years after the end of the final stage of production. Nicolas’s mother comes from Le Mesnil where some of the best chardonnay is grown so, not surprisingly, chardonnay is also an important element especially in the long-lived vintage wines.

For such a small house, Gratien produces numerous cuvees, including non-vintage, demi-sec and non-vintage rosé, examples of each of which are sold under The Society’s label. The prestige Cuvée Paradis is a non-vintage blend of chardonnay and pinot noir, drawn from the best vats of grand cru wines. The vintage wines come exclusively from grand cru vineyards and, with their immense complexity and capacity for ageing, are the flagship of the house.

… it comes from Alfred Gratien whose Krugesque traditions include fermenting in small oak casks and long ageing to create a knockout bold, toasty champagne with a dreamy lemon zest and creamy brioche...

… it comes from Alfred Gratien whose Krugesque traditions include fermenting in small oak casks and long ageing to create a knockout bold, toasty champagne with a dreamy lemon zest and creamy brioche finish.

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Jane MacQuitty

Saturday 21st May 2022

Decanter

This own-label Champagne is made for The Wine Society by Alfred Gratien, and it impresses with its depth, nuttiness and rich toastiness. Oak-fermented for a period of six months, it spends five years in...

This own-label Champagne is made for The Wine Society by Alfred Gratien, and it impresses with its depth, nuttiness and rich toastiness. Oak-fermented for a period of six months, it spends five years in bottle before being disgorged. A great festive choice, with or without food.

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Amy Wislocki

Wednesday 1st Dec 2021

Platinum

It's made by Alfred Gratien, an exemplary small house that, astonishingly, has supplied The Wine Society for more than 100 years and distinguishes itself, like Krug and only a handful of others, by...

It's made by Alfred Gratien, an exemplary small house that, astonishingly, has supplied The Wine Society for more than 100 years and distinguishes itself, like Krug and only a handful of others, by fermenting all its Champagnes in oak barrels (rather than stainless steel tanks). It has added resonance for us because, decades ago, we chose it for our wedding.

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Joanna Simon

Wednesday 27th Oct 2021

JancisRobinson.com

Rich, toasty nose. Biscuit-like richness. Intense, super-fresh and with great balance. Fills the mouth but not an ounce of fat. Long, too. Good value. 16.5/20

Julia Harding MW

Monday 25th Oct 2021

decanter.com

This own-label Champagne, made for the Wine Society by Alfred Gratien, has been described by one wine critic as 'a poor man's (or woman's) Krug'. It certainly impresses with its depth, nuttiness and rich...

This own-label Champagne, made for the Wine Society by Alfred Gratien, has been described by one wine critic as 'a poor man's (or woman's) Krug'. It certainly impresses with its depth, nuttiness and rich toastiness. It's oak fermented over a six-month period and spends five years in bottle before disgorgement. A great choice, with or without food.

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Amy Wislocki

Friday 8th Oct 2021

The Sunday Telegraph

A “private cuvée” created by the champagne house Alfred Gratien for The Wine Society and a beautifully balanced drop, rich gold in hue, crisp but with a light spoonful of vanilla ice...

A “private cuvée” created by the champagne house Alfred Gratien for The Wine Society and a beautifully balanced drop, rich gold in hue, crisp but with a light spoonful of vanilla ice cream along with fresh citrus. Destined to give lots of pleasure at this season's celebrations.

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Susy Atkins

Sunday 29th Aug 2021

Sunday Telegraph

A "private cuvée" created by the Champagne house Alfred Gratien for The Wine Society and a beautifully balanced drop, rich gold in hue, crisp but with a light spoonful of vanilla ice cream along...

A "private cuvée" created by the Champagne house Alfred Gratien for The Wine Society and a beautifully balanced drop, rich gold in hue, crisp but with a light spoonful of vanilla ice cream along with fresh citrus. Destined to give lots of pleasure at summer celebrations.

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- Susy Atkins

Sunday 25th Jul 2021

Platinum

Most often, I serve The Society's Champagne Brut, a sort of poor man's, or poor woman's, Krug.

- Joanna Simon

Wednesday 9th Jun 2021

midweekwines.co.uk

Best Champagne, People's Choice Drinks Awards: With noteworthy earlyexuberance, [this Champagne] impressed the judges with the excellent way itszesty grapefruit acidity combines with the red apple...

Best Champagne, People's Choice Drinks Awards: With noteworthy earlyexuberance, [this Champagne] impressed the judges with the excellent way itszesty grapefruit acidity combines with the red apple backbone and the gentleyeasty backdrop that also contains hints of almond biscuits.

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- Brian Elliott

Thursday 18th Feb 2021

Portsmouth News

Very handily available in half-bottles. Made for The Wine Society by the highly regarded producer, Alfred Gratien, this is a blend of all three classic Champagne grapes. Relatively unusually, the...

Very handily available in half-bottles. Made for The Wine Society by the highly regarded producer, Alfred Gratien, this is a blend of all three classic Champagne grapes. Relatively unusually, the fermentation is carried out in small oak barrels, it has a really inviting bouquet of citrus and hazelnuts along with some toasty notes followed by a nicely textured palate with lively acidity and a persistent finish. A lovely aperitif but would also work with fresh seafood, and oysters in particular.

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- Alistair Gibson

Saturday 6th Feb 2021

midweekwines.co.uk

OK, not the cheapest champagne but one offering a delightful balance and sophistication that fully justifies paying a little more. With early exuberance and long creamy texture, The Society’s ...

OK, not the cheapest champagne but one offering a delightful balance and sophistication that fully justifies paying a little more. With early exuberance and long creamy texture, The Society’s Champagne builds on those attributes with ripe lemon and apple flavours, zesty grapefruit acidity, and a gentle backdrop contain neat suggestions of almond biscuits.

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- Brian Elliott

Thursday 11th Feb 2021

Sussex Express

The Wine Society hasbeen buying Alfred Gratien Champagne for over 100 years. Made with greatattention to detail in small oak barrels, it is aged for at least three years,giving extra depth, complexity and ...

The Wine Society hasbeen buying Alfred Gratien Champagne for over 100 years. Made with greatattention to detail in small oak barrels, it is aged for at least three years,giving extra depth, complexity and length of flavour.

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- Richard Esling

Wednesday 2nd Dec 2020

Sunday Express

Made for The WineSociety by Alfred Gratien, here's a lively, bright, appley fizz with toastydepth and keen acidity. Very stylish and full of interest.

- Jamie Goode

Sunday 5th May 2019

champagneguru.co.uk

Best value wines forChristmas and the New Year: Fermented in oak casks this wine gets a good dealmore time in bottle than many celebrated names and boasts a rich, spicy,savoury style that works both as a...

Best value wines forChristmas and the New Year: Fermented in oak casks this wine gets a good dealmore time in bottle than many celebrated names and boasts a rich, spicy,savoury style that works both as a great pick me up and with the right sort offood: savoury fishy canapés.

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- Giles Fallowfield

Sunday 1st Dec 2019

Three Wine Men

Impeccable. Asteal for the quality and lashings of personality for the price.

- Olly Smith

Wednesday 14th Jun 2017

BBC Good Food Magazine

This is all about bigflavours: brown apples, nuts and spicy notes. If, like me, you love BollingerChampagne but can’t afford it, this is the wine for you. The producer, AlfredGratien, is one of the...

This is all about bigflavours: brown apples, nuts and spicy notes. If, like me, you love BollingerChampagne but can’t afford it, this is the wine for you. The producer, AlfredGratien, is one of the few houses along with Bollinger that still age their winesin oak.

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- Henry Jeffreys

Friday 23rd Feb 2018

independent.co.uk

This is a fantasticown-label Champagne from the Wine Society, made by Alfred Gratien with hisdistinctive style: fermenting and aging his wines in oak barrels for addeddepth, concentration and nuttiness....

This is a fantasticown-label Champagne from the Wine Society, made by Alfred Gratien with hisdistinctive style: fermenting and aging his wines in oak barrels for addeddepth, concentration and nuttiness. There’s a lovely mix of light oaksavouriness with a burst of honeyed fruit on the mid-palate, dissolving to along, dry finish. There are well-rounded flavours with a steely, unflaggingacidity. This tension is maintained throughout, making it a brilliant choicefor a lengthy evening of entertaining. -

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Nuria Stylianou

Thursday 16th Nov 2017

ft.com

I love The WineSociety and I love this rich, toasty, oak-fermented champagne, made especiallyfor them by Alfred Gratien, with whom the Wine Society has been in cahootssince 1906.

- Jonathan Ray

Tuesday 12th Sep 2017