Michele and Alain Mandois are the latest in a long line of champagne makers, being sixth generation owners of the family vineyard Comte de Lantage which originated in the mid 1800s.
Recently Alain was in Perth to promote the release of their Millennium Cuvée Speciale de l'An 2000 and is set to return in September when one lucky person will win a trip for two to Champagne for a week courtesy of Comte de Lantage.
The striking presentation and wonderful packaging leaves many of its competitors for dead.
The Brut Blanc de Blancs 1990 vintage even comes with an all around label enabling each of your guests to sign their names on the bottle. This will give you a wonderful momento of a truly memorable occasion.
Comte de Lantage also supply the pen to write the names and a canister in which to keep the empty bottle. They do everything but pop the cork for you.
The cheapest of the three Millennium releases is the Cuvée de Reserve with a recommended retail price of $85.00.
It is an exquisite wine that exudes quality and finesse with a flavour that's slightly yeasty, crisp and very creamy.
When comparing this wine with the other nonvintage heavyweights in the marketplace the Cuvée de Reserve is an absolute cracker of a wine and a very good buy.
The Brut Grand Cru at $170.00 is next. It is a very well-balanced and powerful wine that has been cellar aged for six years.
Finally, the Brut Blanc de Blancs Premier Cru 1990 which retails for $180.00 is a champagne which has been made from the best chardonnay and pinot noir grapes available. This has created a full-bodied and elegant wine.
I'm very particular about what I drink, especially on important occasions. New Year’s Eve 2000 is one of those occasions and I'll be drinking Comte de Lantage.