Review: NV Cheurlin Brut Speciale Champagne

Since 2016, NBA Hall of Famer Isaiah Thomas has been the sole importer and front man of Cheurlin Champagne in the U.S. In today’s celebrity=lead wine culture, the association of French champagne and an American basketball superstar isn’t terribly unusual except for the fact that it started when the trend was fairly new. Thomas mentions his initial introduction to champagne on the Cheurlin website

My earliest experience with champagne was having it poured over my head. It wasn’t until after I retired from playing ball that I discovered I love drinking it.

Happily, the champagne he champions is the good stuff meant for drinking and not merely for pouring on your teammates’ heads. Cheurlin Champagne house dates back to 1788, and today it is known for making champagnes that are kosher and low in sugar.

NV Cheurlin Brut Spéciale Champagne Review

The champagne we are trying today is kosher and made with 70% pinot noir, 20% chardonnay, and 5 grams dosage, making for a dry wine in line with the house style. First poured, the champagne shows heavy mousse, almost too fizzy, but it settles down with some time in the glass. The nose introduces lovely notes of strawberries and cream, peach, and mango, along with a little shortbread biscuit.

The palate hits with tart cherries and mango along with very high acidity and a bit of a chalky note. I recommend serving this with food so the fizziness and acidity have something to work with, but this is good champagne at a reasonable price. Paired with salmon or chicken in a cream sauce, it would shine.

A- / $55

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