Celene Amethyste Blanc de Noirs Brut

Crushed wild berry notes and hints of pomegranate and cranberry dominate on the nose, while the first sip reveals a gentle mousse, lingering ripe fruit flavours, and fine structure. The finish is pure and clean with a refreshing streak of acidity, making this a great match for creamy cheeses, vibrant ceviche, or smoked salmon.

Their Amethyste cuvee is a Blanc de Noirs, meaning that it is only crafted from black grape varieties. In this case Celene uses Cabernet Franc and Merlot which helps to add backbone and enticing red and black fruit flavours. These grapes are harvested by hand and then fermented in stainless steel tanks to preserve the delicate varietal character. The secondary fermentation then takes place inside the bottle itself, in the same technique used to make Champagne, with the wine left to mature on the lees for 12 months.

Based in the village of Haux in Bordeaux’s Entre-deux-Mers region, Celene’s track record of making top quality sparkling wines dates back to 1947. The winery has a strong network of partner growers on both banks of Bordeaux, meaning it is able to source excellent fruit from a variety of terroirs. Their wines age in a historic 18th century cellar which was dug straight out of the limestone rock on the Garonne’s Right Bank. The constant 13°C temperature and consistent humidity creates ideal conditions for ageing their sparkling wines.