By Caroline Tanner on 14/01/2026
Champagne Barnaut has been with us for over 20 years, which speaks volumes. Established in 1874, and still run by the same family, they are producing characterful, delicious Champagne, which continues to delight. One of the secrets to Barnaut's success is their prime location in the Grand Cru village of Bouzy, known for its particularly fine Pinot Noir.
By Graeme Brandham on 13/08/2025
There are invitations in the wine trade that command a certain reverence, and a day at the Nyetimber estate is unequivocally one of them. And so, a party of eight from Lea & Sandeman recently journeyed to the rolling South Downs of West Sussex, home to England’s most celebrated sparkling wine producer.
By Jack Chapman on 03/07/2024
There is still yet to be a year, here at Lea & Sandeman, where we have had enough of Larmandier Bernier’s ‘Latitude’ to last us until Christmas. That said, we still cannot resist shouting about just how outstanding it is.
By Angus Barcroft on 26/06/2024
On the final day of our visits surrounding the annual Printemps des Champagnes jamboree last year, we stopped in Avize to visit Champagne Franck Bonville, one the newer signings in our 17-producer-strong Grower Champagne selection, where we were welcomed warmly by Ferdinand Ruelle-Dudel, Olivier Bonville's son-in-law.
By Jack Chapman on 24/04/2024
When I first joined Lea & Sandeman, not even four years ago, Larmandier Bernier’s magnificent Vieilles Vignes du Levant 2011 was £80 a bottle – I drank a lot of it. I wish I’d drunk more.
By Charles Lea on 09/04/2024
In 2009 one group of like-minded 'grower-Champagne' producers ('Terre et Vins de Champagne') got together to put on a tasting which focused to a large degree on the vins clairs (the still wines) from the 2008 vintage, before they were bottled for the prise de mousse (the second fermentation in bottle which produces the bubbles).
By Caroline Tanner on 11/03/2024
An address in Mareuil-sur-Aÿ is a prestigious one to hold in the Champagne region, not only because you are rubbing shoulders with the likes of Philipponat and Billecart-Salmon but the vineyards are also recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
By Caroline Tanner on 06/02/2024
‘One of the most electrifying discoveries for me (at the L&S Champagne tasting in May) was Champagne Roger Coulon. The very first taste of the first wine on the table set my spine tingling. These are exhilarating, idiosyncratic wines.’ Tamlyn Currin – JancisRobinson.
By Charles Lea on 19/05/2023
Following on from the explanation of the various classifications of producer of Champagne ('Champagne - NM, ND, CM, RC, MA, or RM - what and why?'), this is how the pieces fit together in terms of their place in the market.
By Angus Barcroft on 24/09/2021
Louis Roederer Collection 242 – a new multi-vintage blend based on a perpetual reserve and 44% of reserve wines. This shift away from a NV blend may come as a bit of a shock to those that have been avid followers of the Brut Premier.
By David Porter on 15/04/2020
Is there anything that beats a good Dinner Party? Coming together to share delicious food, exciting wines, and lively conversation with friends now seems more essential than ever before – but how to have that experience now? In recent weeks, technology has really stepped up to the plate, changing the way we work, play, and socialise.
By David Porter on 23/12/2019
It’s the busiest moment of the year for our team as we try to help everyone get the right wines into their glasses as well as the perfect presents into people's stockings for Christmas.