Champagne Bag Vol. 4
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EN
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Boris Buliga
A few bottles of Champagne to melt our souls.
You know those slightly goofy introductions that fill the space between the photo and the table with results? (Let's be honest - without any text, it all looks a bit bare.) I usually write them the morning after the tasting. Pre-written text tends to feel detached and out of context, as the event brings new meanings and emotions that reshape my perspective on the whole affair. This time, I knew it would be amazing - no fortune teller needed (it's enough to look at the photo above). But both wines and people have their way of surprising you (or, rather, me). When these elements combine, something magical happens, and I'm absolutely thrilled with the result. New acquaintances, my favourite bar, good friends, plenty of delicious wine… and one broken glass.
If there's any lesson to take away, I'd celebrate people's ability to voice their desires. I'm not a mind reader (as practice shows), and God gave people hands so they could message me on Telegram. Why am I emphasising this? Because this gathering happened thanks to trivial communication - people spoke up and said they wanted a tasting. Some just expressed interest, while others went as far as dropping names of winemakers they wanted to try. That's how we organised it - chaotically, hastily, with last-minute bottle swaps. But just like all beautiful things, it came together naturally and joyfully. So I'll repeat it - speak up about what you want! This is the only way for things to materialise.
As for the lineup, here's the story. I love drinking complex and interesting bottles in small groups. It allows you to truly drink (and get drunk - oh, I mean to properly savour them), discuss without rushing, and not get overwhelmed by too many different wines. I am convinced that when the group gets larger, you should duplicate bottles rather than add more varieties. Ugh, I could go on about this forever, but in short - we all really need to drink less, but make the experience more meaningful.
I knew I'd be bringing some serious Champagne producers (with the condition that these wouldn't be fresh releases). We'd be tasting blind (though I did announce the winemakers' names at the beginning of the tasting). I wanted to complement these beauties with a bottle that Serhii and I brought from France - I consider it extraordinary and worthy of attention (you can see the results for yourself). And for the welcome drink, I decided to have some fun.
The result? Fantastic! The wines were so different, so unique that it was fascinating to observe who preferred which wine and amusing to watch people guess the bottles and then genuinely struggle to pick their favourite of the night. Huge thanks to all participants who made this possible, to those who helped source these bottles, and to Lo Bar, which sheltered us, fed us, and didn't even kick us out after the broken glass incident!
The only sad part is that I don't have any more of these wines. Would've loved to keep some for longer. But we'll figure something out. So stay tuned!
| Wine | Place | rms Average score calculated using the root mean square method, reflecting the collective assessment of a wine by participants. | wavg Weighted average score for the wine, where each participant's rating is adjusted for their wine assessment expertise. | sdev Standard deviation measures the controversy of a wine's reception. A lower value signifies greater consensus among participants. | fav Count of participants who selected this wine as their evening's favourite. | out Number of participants who identified this wine as their least favourite of the evening. | price Price of the wine, if available. | volume Volume of the bottle in litres. | QPR Quality-price ratio, indicating value for money. A higher number denotes better value. Available when price is known. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 🏅 6th | 3.6308 | 3.7815 | 0.2229 | 0 | 0 | UAH 1,993.00 | 0.75 L | 0.4732 🤢 |
| 🏅 5th | 4.3607 | 4.4111 | 0.0310 | 0 | 0 | UAH 7,700.00 | 0.75 L | 1.0987 😊 | |
| 🥉 3rd | 4.4135 | 4.5444 | 0.2448 | 2 | 0 | UAH 3,900.00 | 0.75 L | 2.0577 💎 | |
| 🥇 1st | 4.6665 | 4.6093 | 0.0205 | 3 | 0 | UAH 9,800.00 | 0.75 L | 1.4950 😊 | |
| 🏅 4th | 4.5310 | 4.5167 | 0.0220 | 0 | 0 | UAH 6,900.00 | 0.75 L | 1.4566 😊 | |
| 🥈 2nd | 4.5738 | 4.5796 | 0.0220 | 2 | 0 | UAH 4,137.00 | 0.75 L | 2.1568 💎 |
Roses De Jeanne Les Ursules UR/R19 2019
- Region
- France » Champagne AOC
- Type
- white traditional sparkling, brut
- Producer
- Roses De Jeanne
- Vintage
- 2019
- Disgorged
- 2023
- On lees
- N/A
- Grapes
- Pinot Noir
- Alcohol
- 12.5
- Sugar
- 1
- Volume
- 750 mL
This wine secured the 🏅 5th place in our wine tasting lineup.
A truly remarkable wine that masterfully balances restraint with luxuriance. The aromatic profile centers around a sophisticated apple theme - fresh red apples, bruised fruit, and artisanal cider notes - evolving into more complex territory with suggestions of apple jam and warm apple pastries (chausson aux pommes). The herbal elements add fascinating complexity, weaving together medicinal echinacea and soft chamomile notes.
The wine shows impressive vinosity and structural depth, delivering complexity without sacrificing delicacy. With aeration, as the effervescence gently subsides, it reveals additional layers of depth and nuance. The finish is persistent and satisfying.
Bérêche & Fils Campania Remensis 2019
- Region
- France » Champagne AOC
- Type
- rose traditional sparkling, extra brut
- Producer
- Bérêche & Fils
- Vintage
- 2019
- Disgorged
- 2023-06
- On lees
- >36 months
- Grapes
- Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier, Field Blend
- Alcohol
- 12.5
- Sugar
- 3
- Volume
- 750 mL
- Find at
This wine secured the 🥉 3rd place in our wine tasting lineup.
An extraordinary rosé that defies my common expectations of the style. This wine demonstrates remarkable concentration while maintaining sublime elegance. Despite showing subtle signs of development, it remains energetically youthful at its core.
The nose presents a sophisticated array of aromas: fresh brioche, maritime notes of iodine and sea salt, fresh strawberries, crisp red apples, and tart cranberries. The palate is impressively structured, displaying power and precision in equal measure. The concentration is remarkable, yet never feels heavy-handed.
The finish is exceptionally long, introducing delicious Jerez-like oxidative notes that add further complexity. The overall impression is one of vibrancy and refinement - a serious rosé that showcases the style's often-overlooked potential for complexity and age-worthiness.
Ulysse Collin Les Pierrières (2018) NV
- Region
- France » Champagne AOC » Côte de Sézanne
- Type
- white traditional sparkling, extra brut
- Producer
- Ulysse Collin
- Vintage
- NV, based on 2018
- Disgorged
- 2023-02-14
- On lees
- 48 months
- Grapes
- Chardonnay
- Alcohol
- 13
- Sugar
- 1.8
- Volume
- 750 mL
- Find at
This wine secured the 🥇 1st place in our wine tasting lineup.
A captivating wine that opens with an unexpected but delightful cheese popcorn note, followed by a sophisticated array of aromas: acacia flowers, subtle butter, well-integrated oak, chalky minerality, and honey. Citrus notes of lime and gentle calendula add further complexity to the bouquet.
The palate is masterfully constructed, showing remarkable evolution and near-perfect balance. It begins with expertly integrated dosage, transitioning seamlessly through various stages: bright acidity, oxidative Jerez-like notes, subtle jam, maritime influences, and finishing with honey nuances. The oak integration is exemplary, with buttery notes adding richness without overwhelming.
It's both regal and approachable. Its puffy, expansive texture fills the mouth while maintaining precision. Perhaps most impressive is how it manages to be incredibly complex and multilayered while remaining thoroughly enjoyable and accessible. The finish is persistent and thought-provoking.
Egly-Ouriet Vieillissement Prolongé V.P. (d2023) NV
- Region
- France » Champagne AOC » Montagne de Reims
- Type
- white traditional sparkling, extra brut
- Producer
- Egly-Ouriet
- Vintage
- NV, based on 2015
- Disgorged
- 2023-07
- On lees
- 84 months
- Grapes
- Pinot Noir, Chardonnay
- Alcohol
- 12.5
- Sugar
- 3
- Volume
- 750 mL
This wine secured the 🏅 4th place in our wine tasting lineup.
Vieillissement Prolongé is a Pinot Noir-dominated blend, complemented by Chardonnay, sourced exclusively from estate vineyards in Ambonnay, Verzenay, and Bouzy. These vineyards, planted in the 1970s, boast nearly 50-year-old vines rooted in chalk and limestone soils. The wine is crafted using hand-harvested grapes, fermented with indigenous yeasts in older French oak barrels, and aged for an extended 84 months in the bottle. It's presented with a low dosage of 3 grams per litre and is bottled unfined and unfiltered, showcasing the distinct character of its terroir, varietals and style.
A profound wine that exemplifies VP's characteristic structural depth. It displays notes of chalk and buttered croissant, complemented by green apple freshness, honey sweetness, and bright lemon. Subtle Jerez-like notes emerge. The mousse is remarkably executed - intense yet pillowy soft, evoking gentle ocean waves. Unlike Pierrières, which spreads laterally with lush generosity, VP drives vertically, presenting a narrow but penetrating core of flavours that unfolds with precision and length. Maritime influences emerge through distinctive iodine notes. The depth is remarkable, offering continuous evolution in the glass. Rich and delightful, with subtle spice notes adding further intrigue. Despite its current impressive showing, the wine's firm and tight structure suggests it's still in its absurd youth.
Dehours & Fils Lieu-Dit Maisoncelle Réserve Perpétuelle 2013-2017 NV
- Region
- France » Champagne AOC » Vallée de la Marne
- Type
- white traditional sparkling, extra brut
- Producer
- Dehours & Fils
- Vintage
- NV
- Disgorged
- 2022-07
- On lees
- 37 months
- Grapes
- Pinot Noir
- Alcohol
- 12.5
- Sugar
- 0
- Volume
- 750 mL
This wine secured the 🥈 2nd place in our wine tasting lineup.
A compelling wine that speaks with quiet authority. The nose unfolds with a sophisticated array of aromas: notes of smoke, fresh bakery notes, toasted nuts, aged cheese, and damp cellar. The aromatic profile is further enhanced by delicate bitter herbs, notably tarragon. On the palate, it shows impressive balance - the acidity is precise and energetic, while the texture is beautifully crafted. What's particularly striking is its measured intensity; it delivers depth and complexity without overwhelming, maintaining freshness and seamless integration throughout. Oxidative notes add complexity without dominating. While clearly still in its youth, it's already showing remarkable finesse. Particularly noteworthy is how it outperformed more prominent names in a blind tasting. Amusing.
Raw scores
| Wine | Iren P | Anastasiia P | Serhii K | Dima G | Elvira K | Boris B | Vasyl V |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.80 | 2.50 | 3.50 | 4.00 | 3.70 | 3.90 | 3.80 | |
| 4.00 | 4.20 | 4.50 | 4.50 | 4.40 | 4.50 | 4.40 | |
| 4.65 | 3.20 | 4.75 | 4.40 | 4.60 | 4.60 | 4.50 | |
| 4.80 | 4.80 | 4.50 | 4.75 | 4.70 | 4.70 | 4.40 | |
| 4.40 | 4.40 | 4.50 | 4.80 | 4.70 | 4.50 | 4.40 | |
| 4.50 | 4.30 | 4.70 | 4.80 | 4.60 | 4.50 | 4.60 |