The Carte Jaune cuvée contained in this Veuve Clicquot Sun Totem gift set is a fruity, full-bodied, and well-balanced champagne. This wine is the perfect accompaniment to your aperitifs as well as roasted white meats. This limited edition reimagines the art of luxury gift-giving with a bold insulated case.
British designer Yinka Ilori created this case for Veuve Clicquot, founded in 1772.The 3D-knitted cover keeps the wine at serving temperature over time. The design reinterprets the calabash using innovative materials.
The fabric uses PET fibers derived from plastic bottles. The weaving technique minimizes material waste during production. The set includes a functional handle for easy transport.
This project highlights the company’s commitment to sustainable development. The radiant pattern is titled Chasing the Sun. The warm colors evoke the brand’s historic yellow label. This approach celebrates the optimism cherished by Madame Clicquot.
The creation of Veuve Clicquot Brut Sun Totem champagne
The Terroir
The grapes are sourced from across the entire Champagne appellation, whose hillsides are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The grapes are selected from fifty to sixty different communes. The Montagne de Reims provides the structured juices of Pinot Noir grapes from historic terroirs. These plots thrive on Upper Cretaceous geological formations composed of belemnite chalk.
The Chardonnay comes primarily from the Côte des Blancs. The roots of these vines reach deep into exposed chalk, which acts as a water reservoir during the growing season. The Marne Valley offers Meunier grapes with plump clusters. These vines grow on clay-limestone soils that promote the roundness of the berries.
Winemaking
Cellar Master Didier Mariotti upholds the Carte Jaune style, composed of fifty to fifty-five percent Pinot Noir, twenty-eight to thirty-three percent Chardonnay, and fifteen to twenty percent Meunier. This blend incorporates between thirty and forty-five percent reserve wines aged separately.
Alcoholic fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks to preserve the juices’ initial tension. The wine then undergoes complete malolactic fermentation. This step converts malic acid into lactic acid and rounds out the texture on the palate. Vinification by cru offers a wide range of flavors during the final blend.
Bottling is followed by extended aging on racks. This resting period allows the wine to develop autolytic compounds through contact with the yeasts. The second riddling generally takes place in the spring following the harvest.
After disgorgement to remove the sediment, the cuvée is dosed with 10 g/L of sugar syrup (the dosage), classifying this champagne as a Brut. The bottle rests for a few additional months in the cellar before release.
Blend Characteristics
This non-vintage Brut blends several successive harvests to ensure consistency in the house’s style. The blend requires fifty to sixty different crus, primarily vinified in stainless steel tanks. The fresh harvest provides the initial liveliness, while previous vintages compensate for seasonal climatic variations. This process ensures aromatic consistency, intended for enjoyment within a three-year timeframe.
Tasting notes
Appearance
The color is a golden yellow with coppery highlights. A string of fine bubbles rises through the tulip-shaped glass. The clarity reflects the care taken during vinification. The brilliant surface catches the ambient light.
Nose
On the nose, aromas of pear and crisp apple emerge. These notes of white fruit dominate at first. Aeration reveals hints of vanilla and toast, reflecting aging on the lees. Hints of sweet almond add to this bouquet. Fragrances of white flowers intertwine harmoniously with notes of ripe citrus.
Palate
On the palate, this champagne opens with a clean attack. The liveliness quickly gives way to a vinous and full-bodied structure. Flavors of candied citrus and dried fruit coat the palate. The finish lingers on toasty notes. The rounded texture offers a silky mouthfeel. The aromatic persistence lasts for eight minutes.
Pairing Suggestions
- Gougères with aged Comté cheese
- Mini crab tartlets
- Cold salmon toasts
- Roast chicken with thyme
- Risotto with fresh porcini mushrooms
- Grilled sea bass fillet
- Matured Chaource made with cow's milk
- Young Alpine Beaufort
- Thin apple tart
Expert Review: More Bubbles
This non-vintage brut offers remarkable aromatic consistency. The high proportion of reserve wines creates a distinctive character characteristic of the house. The limited-edition Brut Sun Totem gift set designed by Yinka Ilori adds a unique artistic dimension. This reusable sleeve highlights the estate’s sustainable practices.
To learn more, explore the nuances of the blanc de noirs champagne category.
Storage and Serving Recommendations
How should this champagne be stored?
This bottle (75cl) should be stored in a dark cellar. Humidity should be around 70%. A constant temperature of approximately 12°C prevents premature aging. Avoid prolonged temperature fluctuations during storage.
This case protects the bottle from direct light, minimizing the wine’s deterioration. The case keeps the wine cold for ninety minutes during transport. Store the bottle horizontally without the case in your cellar. This horizontal position keeps the cork constantly moist.
Vibrations impair the finesse of the effervescence. Keep the cases away from household appliances.
Aging Potential
The natural structure of this cuvée supports its development. The phenolic compounds from the skins of the black grapes protect the wine in the bottle.
- Immediate tasting: The wine expresses its liveliness with dominant notes of citrus and fresh pear.
- Aromatic maturity phase (within 3 years): The champagne gains complexity and develops notes of brioche and almond.
- Tertiary development phase (in 5 years): The wine evolves toward a tertiary richness marked by aromas of dried fruit.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this champagne chilled to appreciate its balance. Use a tulip-shaped glass to concentrate the aromas. Avoid narrow flutes, which hinder the olfactory expression. This wine does not require decanting.
Chill in an ice bucket filled with water and ice cubes. The handle on the case makes it easy to carry to your picnic spot. If chilling in the refrigerator, allow at least two hours. Avoid freezing.
Trivia about this vintage
The design of this cooler draws inspiration from African cultural heritage. Designer Yinka Ilori reinterprets the motifs of the Nigerian calabash, a traditional vessel. The woven patterns depict protective hands symbolizing sharing. The cylindrical shape fits Champagne bottles perfectly.
This collection was unveiled at Milan Design Week during an immersive installation. The artist also collaborates on other formats for the brand throughout the seasons. The London-based designer adapts this radiant motif for the Sun Totem version. This project blends contemporary art with practicality.
He incorporates his dual British-Nigerian heritage into this visual work. The use of three-dimensional knitting minimizes textile waste. All the yarns come from recycled polyester sources. This approach aligns with current environmental goals to reduce the carbon footprint.
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