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Cuvée Louis XV Champagne

The 1995 vintage of Champagne has produced some of the most expensive and well-regarded sparklers around. Another cuvée joins the list. The Cuvée Louis XV from Champagne de Venoge will be officially launched in Tokyo at Foodex March 13-16. It has already been released worldwide since December and according to the company it has been selling well.

The name celebrates Louis XV because he issued a decree that allowed the wines of Champagne to be both shipped and marketed in bottle, rather than by barrel thereby trapping the sparkle of fermentation. The cork's cap is a replica of the 1728 "Louis d'Or" gold coin. The champagne, which is aged ten years, comes in a distinctive bottle that comes with a cut glass stopper so you can use it as a decanter when the Champagne is gone. The packaging alone is worth the price....oh and rule of thumb...if you have to ask the price, you can't afford it!