Champagne Lanson - A Timeless Gem
What do you get when you combine the Order of Malta + British Monarchy = one of the oldest champagne houses, Champagne Lanson
🥂Founded in 1760, Champagne Lanson is one of the oldest producers in the region, with a rich history embedded in the famous city of Reims.
A few fun historical facts:
🥂The red cross in the logo comes from, Nicolas-Louis Delamotte who in 1798 took over from his father and as a knight of the Order of Malta, decided to use the Maltese Cross as the House’s emblem. As a tribute to his affiliation and the family values, Delamotte adopted the Maltese Cross as the emblem of Lanson. The Order of Malta are a historical Catholic religious order known for its humanitarian work.
🥂That same year he also formed a partnership with Jean-Baptiste Lanson, who gave the company the name of Lanson et Cie in 1837.
🥂 In the 1900s, the house became the official supplier to the British Royal court. Champagne Lanson have since gone on to sponsor Championships, Wimbledon - one of the UK's oldest and most traditional sporting competitions - for over forty years.
A stunning & extensive tasting hosted by the engaging oenologist Guillaume followed by a historical tour of the cellars and a glimpse at very special older vintages dating back to 1904 (swipe to photo)!! Their cellars were used as a refuge and church for local residents during WWII.
Lanson prioritizes Pinot Noir (around 50-60% in their blends) for its structure and richness, balanced with Chardonnay (30-40%) for finesse and elegance. Some Pinot Meunier may also be included for fruitiness. They source grapes from premier and grand cru vineyards across the Champagne region, ensuring high quality fruit. Lanson uses a high proportion of reserve wines in their non-vintage blends (about 20-30% depending on the champagne), contributing to complexity and consistency. Unlike many Champagne houses, Lanson traditionally blocks malolactic fermentation. This preserves the natural acidity of the grapes, resulting in wines with a vibrant, fresh character. Lanson generally uses low levels of dosage (sugar added after secondary fermentation) for a drier, Brut style. This allows the true expression of the grape and terroir to shine through. Lanson champagnes undergo extended aging on the lees (dead yeast cells) in the bottle, adding depth and complexity of flavor.
* Lanson Black Label Brut 257: Their flagship non-vintage Brut, known for its vibrancy, purity, and clean citrus notes.
Lanson Rosé: A delicate and elegant rosé Champagne with aromas of red berries and a refreshing finish.
Le Blanc de Blancs: Made exclusively from Chardonnay grapes, it showcases finesse and minerality.
Le Black Réserve: A richer and more powerful Champagne with notes of toasted brioche and dried fruit.
Le Green Bio-Organic: Made following Demeter biodynamic principles from 16 hectares of 24 parcels its fruity and mineral driven
Lanson Vintage 2012: A harmonious vintage with great aromatic intensity
Clos Lanson 2009: A rare and exceptional Blanc de Blancs from a single walled vineyard in Reims.
Thank you so much to Guillaume and the Lanson team for their warm hospitality.
