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Wine Description
The Story
Ever since the 11th Century, the kings of France have been coming to Reims for their magnificent coronations. Such days were always cause for sumptuous feasts, during which the wines of Champagne would be liberally served. So beguiled were the kings and their courts by the wines of Champagne that over the years, they became an essential ingredient in every celebration.
Canard-Duchêne wanted to pay homage to this tradition and complement every joyous moment, by making wines that carry the name of King Charles VII. While the kingdom of France was at war with England, Joan of Arc was taking the Dauphin to Reims Cathedral for his coronation by the Abbot Jean Canard.
The Charles VII “Royal Champagnes” are the preferred choice for the most special occasions and celebrations, and express all the richness, depth and diversity of the best terroirs of Champagne.
Vintage 1996
Up to this point 1996 has been considered a fantastic vintage which produced classic wines; the best since 1990. A long, dry summer produced grapes of record ripeness with record acidity. Some, including myself, question how the 1996s are aging. The wines are generally characterized by a distinctive rather lemony acidity and very good attack, but some wines now seem terribly austere, while others already seem dangerously short of fruit. None of the subsequent vintages are quite as distinctive as 1996, which in the more successful cases should almost certainly be drunk after the 1999s.