New Release. Price £175.00. Introduction: In this Bicentenary year, Maison Billecart-Salmon has unveiled a special edition Ice Bucket Gift Set in honour of this exceptional occasion. The Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru is presented within the new “Foundation” bottle format, inspired by the original bottle shape created when the House was founded in 1818. It features alongside a matt black ice bucket adorned with the Bicentenary “200” logo. This 100% Chardonnay cuvee has a fresh and elegant smoothness which will marry perfectly with delicious oysters or the finest fish dishes. This great wine , decilcately chilled in its accompanying ice bucket, will tantalise the taste buds of even the greatest gourmands over Christmas and New Year. Tasting Notes: This Chardonnay cuvee has been elaborated from the five grand cru vineyards of the Cote des Blancs : Avize, Chouilly, Cramant, Mesnil-sur-Oger and Oger. It is a blend of two different years revealing the special quality of the Chardonnay. The fine mousse of delicate bubbles elegantly accompanies the glints of its gold colour. A cuvee that will surprise you with its pure intensity of dry fruits aromas, almonds and fresh hazelnuts mixed with those of fruits of white flesh. The creamy sensation of the bubble associated to aromas of buttered brioche and mineral aromas. Persistent finish with a fresh and elegant sweetness. Serving: This great bottle will make a perfect marriage with caviar or fine oysters but also with grilled fish and seafood. Background Information: Billecart-Salmon, a medium-size Champagne House in Mareuil-sur-Ay, was founded in 1818 by the original owners Nicolas Francois Billecart and Elisabeth Salmon who combined their names on marriage to create the brand. It is one of the few remaining Champagne houses to remain family owned. Most of Billecart-Salmon’s fruit comes from a small vineyard holding, though this is supplemented with grapes bought in from the Marne Valley and the Montagne de Reims. Meticulous production techniques, from the use of their own cultured yeast to its long, slow, cool fermentation, ensure that the family has 100% control of production. Billecart-Salmon is renowned for the quality of its delicate Rose, whilst the Brut Reserve (a blend of three vintages) is a beautifully harmonious and balanced wine. All have the ability to age very well. The Cuvee Nicolas-Francois Billecart 1959 won the title in the Champagne of the Millennium 1999, out of 150 of the finest 20th Century champagnes. A magnum of the winning champagne later sold for £3,300.