RAISE YOUR GLASSES

SIMON TAM CHOOSES FIVE NON-VINTAGE CHAMPAGNES WORTH EXPLORING

• CHAMPAGNE RUINART BLANC DE BLANCS NV

(available widely)

100 percent chardonnay. It’s fragrant with lovely notes of lemon and stone fruits. Refreshing and lively, it’s perfect as an aperitif or with your favourite sushi and sashimi.

• CHAMPAGNE DELAMOTTE BRUT NV

(from Altaya Wines)

55 percent chardonnay, 35 percent pinot noir, 10 percent pinot meunier. A complete and satisfying champagne, rich and tasty, yet retaining plenty of finesse and elegance. It’s a good friend of Hainan chicken rice.

• CHAMPAGNE JACQUES SELOSSE LE MESNIL-SUR-OGER LES CARELLES NV (from Avize Wine Cellar)

100 percent chardonnay from the Grand Cru vineyards at Le Mesnil-sur-Oger. Like everything from Selosse, there’s nothing “usual” about this wine. It’s cultivated biodynamically, fermented in burgundy oak cask with natural yeast and aged for four years before release. It’s not for the faint-hearted. Serve it in a white Burgundy glass, just cool to the touch.

• CHAMPAGNE TAITTINGER PRÉLUDE GRAND CRU NV

(from Fine Vintage) 50 percent chardonnay, 50 percent pinot noir, from the highest vineyard classification, Grand Cru. The five-year cellar maturation resulted in a wine that’s both rich and complex. It’s velvety, with a long, lingering finish. Try it with Japanese beef shabu shabu.

• CHAMPAGNE TESCO FINEST PREMIER CRU NV

(from U Select) Non-disclosed percentages of chardonnay and pinot noir. Selected by British supermarket chain Tesco, it’s made by Champagne Union from high-quality Premier Cru-designated vineyards. Apple bun on the nose with a creamy mouthful and long fruity finish. A perfect Sunday-brunch opener!