Tastings, winery:
30 Rue Maurice Cerveaux, Épernay, Grand Est, FranceBuy online directly from the producer:
mondovino.com/alfred-gratien-17.htmlExperimental phase: initial rating derived from official awards and critic reviews
Berlin Wine Trophy - Grand Gold
2024, 2023, 2022
Alfred Gratien Cuvée Paradis is a premium Champagne that epitomizes the house's unwavering commitment to tradition and quality. Crafted for true connoisseurs of fine wines, this cuvée offers a unique tasting experience. The Champagne showcases a magnificent, deep hue with delicate effervescence.
Tiny, elegant bubbles rise in vertical columns, reminiscent of lace. The initial taste is delicate and gradually unfolds. The bubbles gently meld with the robust body of the wine, supported by a perfectly balanced sweetness that imparts a creamy texture, evoking umami sensations.
As the tasting progresses, the acidity becomes more pronounced, culminating in a prolonged finish (over 10 seconds) featuring intense flavors of acidity, sweetness, and salinity. The finale is marked by chalky minerality, with lingering notes of honey and brioche on the palate.
Alfred Gratien Champagne House was founded in 1864 in Épernay, the heart of the Champagne region. Since then, this family-owned winery has upheld a tradition of crafting premium champagnes, blending artisanal methods with strictly controlled processes to ensure consistent quality. The house's champagne range encompasses various styles, from the classic Brut and Brut Rosé, to prestigious cuvées like Cuvée Paradis and Cuvée Paradis Rosé, as well as Blanc de Blancs Grands Crus and vintage selections.
Their champagnes are renowned for their elegance, finesse, and aging potential, making them a favored choice in many Michelin-starred restaurants and among connoisseurs worldwide. A distinctive feature of Alfred Gratien's production is the exclusive use of oak barrels for vinification, a practice maintained since the house's inception.