Renard-Barnier Brut NV: Great value grower Champagne

Renard-Barnier has been our 'house' champagne for over 25 years, so it's high time we drew some much deserved attention to this small, high quality 'grower champagne'.

For individuality and value in champagne, look for the words 'Recoltant Manipulant' (RM) on the label. Known in English as grower champagne, these producers use grapes grown in their own vineyards.  This is by no means the norm in a region dominated by cooperatives and big houses who buy their grapes in, with far less control over quality.

Benoit Renard and his family own 33 hectares of vines, making their house around a tenth of the size of famous but small houses like Bollinger and Roederer. 

Benoit's great grandparents Gaston Renard and Alice Barnier established their little house at the end of the nineteenth century.  They ran an 'epicerie' in the Vallée de la Marne, but seeing growers sell their grapes to co-operatives and negociants, they were inspired to buy a few hectares of vines and to make their own wine. 

Aside from fruit, ageing is key to quality in champagne.  Renard Barnier spends three years ageing on its lees 'sur latte', far longer than the 15 month minimum.  Aromas of bread dough, biscuits and acacia flowers result from this slow 'yeast autolysis', softening the acidity in the process. A Blanc de Noirs, the Cuvée Spéciale is a 50:50 blend of Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, with hints of redcurrant fruit and gentle rose petal notes on the nose.

Already excellent value at £180 per dozen in bond, we are offering the Cuvée Spéciale at £170 when buying 2 or more cases, equivalent to just £20.43 per bottle including VAT. 

Magnums of the Cuvée Réserve are just £190 per case of 6 (usually £200).  A slightly different blend to the Cuvée Spéciale, with a proportion of Chardonnay, the Cuvée Réserve has more caramelized apple, pear and hazelnut aromas.  Magnums are the perfect size for ageing and we find these often offer a little added depth of flavour.

With the summer season of weddings, garden parties and other celebrations ahead, this is the ideal time to place your order.

View all of our current fine wine offers here

Champagne-Renard Barnier Cuvée Spéciale NV

Autolytic aromas of white dough and digestive biscuits.  Lightly oxidative, with fragrant floral notes of white flowers, rose petals and some white mushroom.  Clean acidity on the palate, but it's very well-integrated and balanced by the roundness on the palate which comes with a good amount of time 'sur latte'.  RKL

£180 IB per dozen bottles; £170 per case when buying 2+ cases

Champagne-Renard Barnier Cuvée Réserve NV MAGNUMS

£190 IB per case of 6 magnums (usually £200)