Pol Roger Champagne

Bill Dowd photo

This champagne house was founded in 1849. Until 1955 it made champagne from other companies' grapes. Since then it has grown its own, and today has estate fields near Épernay. Pol Roger has two expressions of non-vintage cuvées. This is one of them.

• Pol Roger Extra Cuvee de Reserve Champagne Rich

This expression, a demi-sec, is one-third each of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, an excellent blend that provides a yeasty, full bodied product.

"Demi-sec" is a French term meaning "half dry," used to describe wine that is up to 5% sugar. This Rich has a definite, yet not at all unpleasant, sweetness, offered in company with aromas and tastes of honeydew melon and Granny Smith apples. It is a decidedly pleasant bubbly with pinpoint carbonation that nicely complements the sugar.

Suggested retail price: $32 for the 750ml bottle.

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