Mumm Cuvee R Lalou Magnum (1.5 LITER)

G.H Mumm R. Lalou Brut  1998, the first Prestige Cuvee made under this label since 1985, after nine vintages starting with 1966. The wine is named after Rene Lalou, who as chairman of Mumm restored its luster after the devastation of the vineyards brought by two world wars.

Only the Best Juice

Champagne producers will insist that the distinction between Prestiges Cuvees and mere vintage Champagne is that while laws permit three pressings of Champagne grapes, the Cuvees use only the best juice from the first pressing, often only the first third, called the ``tete de cuvee.''

The wines then receive a very small ``dosage'' -- a dose of liquid sugar that by tradition adds a desirable light sweetness. They are aged for at least four years before disgorging the sediment in the bottle. As a result, the wines gain maturity and complexity, and time is money, even in the dark, ancient and musty caves of Champagne.