Skip to main content

Christine Arlaux-Maréchal of Champagne Arlaux given 'The French National Order of Merit'




We at BWI have the privilege of representing Champagne Arlaux as their exclusive agent in the UK. They offer an outstanding range of champagnes that really “fly under the radar” in terms of quality and style. They have a very distinctive style and create a very fine champagne, in large part due to late disgorgement when bottling.

I was exceptionally fortunate recently to be invited to a very special event for Champagne Arlaux; the presentation of "Ordre national du Mérite" (The French National Order of Merit) to Christine Arlaux-Maréchal. This is an Order of State with membership (about 2500 members) awarded by the President of the French Republic.


Following a long line of family members, Christine and her brother Phillipe carry on the champagne making tradition that has endured since production of sparkling wines started. This superseded the production of still wines in the Champagne region in 1826. Classified 100% Premier Cru, the vineyard follows the hillside of the Montagne de Reims and faces East / Southeast. This position enables it to benefit from one of the most favourable areas of Champagne and ensures a good micro-climate and excellent conditions for high quality harvests. For over 10 years now, Arlaux have adopted the sustainable approach to caring for the vineyard, "lute raisonée", without pesticides. The main varieties grown are Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

The award was presented by Mr. Debré, the President of the French Constitutional Council (the highest constitutional authority in France), who delivered the Order during the ceremony. The award of “Chevalier” (Knight) was made in recognition of the contribution by Christine to the promotion and support of French culture and literature in foreign markets. In particular in recognition of the business success of Champagne Arlaux in a range of overseas markets, particularly Japan. Mr. Debré specifically mentioned Christine as part of a long tradition of "Champagne women", from Mme Clicquot to Ms Odette Pol Roger or Elizabeth Bollinger, who were some of the best "ambassadors" for Champagne and French life style.


It was an honor to be invited to this prestigious ceremony held in the oldest palace in Paris. We were treated to a short tour of this famous and unique venue; parts of which are still used for certain government meetings.

After the ceremony, Champagne Arlaux 1998 vintage was served and as ever thrilled those fortunate enough to be present.

An outstanding occasion that further endorses the quality and substance of the Champagne Arlaux range.



 By Rob Lench - BWI Managing Director

 

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

  New Release: 2021 Produttori del Barbaresco Riserva 'Crus' Collectors Case Today we are delighted to offer some brilliant mixed cases of 2021 Riserva Barbarescos from Produttori del Barbaresco , providing a unique opportunity to sample the different “terroirs” of the Piedmont region.  The 2021 vintage is already regarded as one of the all-time greats for Barbaresco, and Italian wine authority, Antonio Galloni, has awarded some HUGE ratings for the wines!   'This is a superb set of new releases from the Produttori del Barbaresco cooperative. The Produttori remain the single most important producer in Barbaresco because of the quality of their wines and the scale of their deep reach into many markets around the world. The Produttori’s 2021 Riservas are fabulous. It’s an extremely consistent vintage across all nine wines, somethi...

Silvia Vannucci's Piaggia Carmignano Riserva 2019 & 2020 Piaggia Cabernet Franc Poggio de’Colli

  We all know the story of Super Tuscan wines, how in the 1970's the likes of Antinori broke the rules and introduced French grape varieties to Italy. Hold on. Re-wind. Quite far, in fact, back to the 1500's when Henry II of France married Catherine de Medici. The French gifted the Medici family some Cabernet vines, which they planted in their vineyards in Carmignano. Carmignano is a tiny 110 hectare appellation in Tuscany, protected from the cold of the north by the Apennines, and from the vagaries of coastal weather by the Montalbano hills, with soils rich in clay and schist. It already had a great reputation for growing local varieties like Sangiovese - by the 1700's it had already been given a protected classification - and it has been blending these with Cabernet varieties for hundreds of years. Roll forward to the 1970's, and Maur...

Leeuwin Art Series - New Releases 2021

  We are delighted to bring you three new releases in the superb Leeuwin Estate Art Series, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon , and 2019 Shiraz , and the (very limited) 2019 Chardonnay . Leeuwin is one of the top Margaret River wineries in Western Australia, owned by the Horgan family and their Art Series wines are gaining a huge reputation. Leeuwin Estate is a class act, every facet of its business working with the precision of a Swiss watch. It stands at the very forefront of estate-based, family owned wineries… James Halliday      Leeuwin Estate was purchased by Perth businessman Denis Horgan in the Margaret River region with a view to utilising it for cattle grazing.  That was in 1969, but 3 years later Robert...