Emma To celebrate the release of the new Nicolas François Vintage, Champagne Billecart-Salmon has partnered with The Connaught, the iconic Mayfair hotel, to create an exclusive pairing.
For a limited time, guests who purchase a glass of Nicolas François 2012 will receive a specially crafted complimentary canape, designed to perfectly complement the cuvée. This exclusive pairing will be available for a month from Friday 11th April.
A tribute to the founder of family-run Champagne Billecart-Salmon, this exceptional vintage has served as a testament to the Maison’s ancestral savoir-faire in the art of blending since 1964. With today’s release of the 2012 vintage, its legacy of excellence, built over seven generations, is reinforced.
The Nicolas François Champagne, lionised for the way it perfectly encapsulates the Billecart-Salmon house style, is crafted from a meticulous selection of great Crus from the classified vineyards of Montagne de Reims (Pinot Noir) and Côte des Blancs (Chardonnay). The 2012 vintage stands out for its exceptional growing season, yielding perfectly ripened grapes with both richness and vibrant acidity. Regarded as one of the greatest vintages of its decade, it delivers wines of striking aromatic finesse, seamlessly balancing intensity and depth. The vinification, partially taking place in traditional oak casks, gives way to a sense of generosity, lending a refined complexity and natural elegance.
It appears golden and delicately effervescent in the glass, setting the stage for a bouquet of late summer orchard fruits and stone fruits lifted by a waft of florals. The palate is beautifully poised between cool minerality and warm notes of pear clafoutis and Bourbon vanilla, unfolding into a long, vinous finish that whispers of spice. A sublime match for lemon-buttered sole or veal chop with chanterelle mushrooms.
To celebrate the release of this exceptional Champagne, Maison Billecart-Salmon has partnered with The Connaught, the iconic Mayfair hotel in London, to create an exclusive alliance. This collaboration is a meeting of heritage and shared values, symbolised by the greyhound which graces both their emblems.
Talking about this collaboration, Mathieu Roland-Billecart says:
“The Connaught Hotel serves only the finest food and wines to the most demanding guests in the world. At Billecart-Salmon, we pride ourselves on producing exceptional tasting experiences and naturally, they taste even better when enjoyed in the most beautiful places. We therefore had to celebrate this with our friends at the Connaught Hotel.”
In this prestigious London setting, the Nicolas François 2012 cuvée takes center stage, paired with an exquisite bite – an elegant combination of caviar and tuna tartare. This refined creation enhances the Champagne’s finesse and depth, offering a truly elevated tasting experience. Lucas Reynaud-Paligot, Head of Wine at The Connaught says:
“Paired with this cuvée, I really like the idea of Tuna and Caviar, beautiful texture, to balance between the Pinot Noir and the Chardonnay grapes. Round and fresh that’s the balance and the delicatesse of the tuna and the generosity of the caviar. A true indulgence to enjoy a glass of Nicolas François 2012 at the Connaught Hotel.”
