Apple and white flowers gave Moët & Chandon Impérial Brut NV and Jean Velut Lumière et Craie a shared starting point in our original comparison. Jean Velut added vanilla and spice.
If you enjoy a fresh, floral style of Champagne, this comparison offers a way to explore a grower from Montgueux alongside a familiar house.
These tasting notes describe the original cuvées. The separately released Sip Edition is specially aged and disgorged for Sip; view the Sip Edition for its current details, price and availability.
Pinot Noir, Meunier & Chardonnay · Non-vintage
Our original tasting impression: green apple and white flowers.
Moët & Chandon, founded in 1743, blends the three grape varieties to create its Impérial style. Its own tasting notes highlight green apple, citrus and white flowers: a useful starting point when exploring grower Champagne with a similar fresh, floral appeal.
Chardonnay · Montgueux, Aube · Original cuvée
Our original tasting impression: apple, white flowers, vanilla and spice.
Made from reserve wines, the original Lumière et Craie showed the creamy, layered character that drew us to this grower. Our original product notes describe fresh apple, white flowers and spice, followed by warm, chalky richness and a bitter-lemon finish.
For us, that combination makes it an appealing alternative if you want to explore a Chardonnay expression from Montgueux with some familiar apple and floral flavours.
Our Sip Edition tasting notes describe brioche, honey and salted caramel balanced by a fresh, chalky character.
View Jean Velut Lumière et Craie Sip Edition for the current wine details, price and availability.
Explore more big-brand and artisan comparisons, or read the companion Big Brand vs Artisan Champagne Journal feature.
To discover more wines, explore Jean Velut or browse our current Champagnes.
