Have you ever received a wine that stopped you in your tracks before you even opened it? That’s exactly what happened when my bottle of Champagne Tentation from Boutillier-Poissinet arrived from de Champagneman. The artistic label—featuring a flowing illustration of a woman’s profile intertwined with vineyard motifs—immediately caught my attention. But as any wine lover will tell you, the real magic happens when you pop the cork.
Discovering Boutillier-Poissinet
Boutillier-Poissinet embodies everything I love about grower Champagne. These small-scale producers cultivate their own grapes and craft wines that truly reflect their specific terroir, unlike the industrial giants dominating supermarket shelves. Working with fewer than 50,000 bottles annually, they prioritize quality over quantity—a philosophy you can taste in every sip.
What sets them apart? Their commitment to traditional méthode champenoise, where each bottle undergoes secondary fermentation in their cellars. This time-intensive process requires at least 15 months of aging on lees, developing the complex flavors that distinguish artisanal Champagne from mass-produced alternatives.
What Makes Tentation Special?
Tentation presents as a Brut, meaning it contains less than 12 grams of residual sugar per liter—perfect for those who prefer their bubbles bone-dry. While the producer keeps their exact blend secret, it likely combines Champagne’s holy trinity: Chardonnay for elegance, Pinot Noir for structure, and Meunier for fruit-forward charm.
The Technical Side
For wine geeks like myself, here’s where things get fascinating. The bottle shows signs of traditional riddling and disgorgement, evidenced by the clear, bright appearance and fine bubble structure. The pressure inside sits at approximately 6 atmospheres—that’s 90 PSI, or roughly three times the pressure in your car tires. This intense pressure is what creates those characteristic tiny bubbles through dissolved CO2.
The extended lees contact during aging contributes significantly to the wine’s creamy mouthfeel through a process called autolysis, where dead yeast cells break down and release proteins and amino acids. You can actually taste this process in those brioche and biscuit notes. The dosage—the small amount of sugar added after disgorgement—appears minimal here, allowing the wine’s natural acidity and fruit character to shine through unmasked.
My Tasting Experience
The moment I opened Tentation, I was greeted by a persistent, fine mousse with delicate bubbles that seemed to dance with purpose. The nose immediately drew me in with fresh citrus zest, green apple, and those telltale brioche notes that signal proper autolysis during aging.
But here’s where it gets interesting—the palate revealed remarkable balance for a wine at this price point. That initial crisp acidity mellowed into creamy textures, unveiling flavors of lemon curd, toasted almonds, and just a whisper of white flowers. The finish surprised me with its length, leaving mineral chalk traces that spoke directly to Champagne’s legendary limestone-rich soils.
I’ll be honest, though—while charming, it lacks the profound complexity of longer-aged cuvées, and the mid-palate shows some thinness that keeps it from achieving true greatness.
Perfect Pairings
Where Tentation truly shines is its food versatility. That bright acidity cuts beautifully through rich appetizers, such as smoked salmon canapés, while its subtle fruit notes complement fresh oysters perfectly. I recommend serving it chilled at 7-9°C (45-48°F) in proper balloon or whit wine glasses to preserve those precious bubbles and concentrate the delicate aromatics.
The Bottom Line
Champagne Tentation offers an honest, accessible introduction to grower Champagne without emptying your wallet. While it may not possess the profound complexity of prestigious houses, it delivers an authentic expression of terroir and meticulous winemaking. For wine lovers ready to venture beyond commercial brands, Boutillier-Poissinet’s Tentation provides both visual appeal and genuine drinking pleasure.
A Note of Gratitude
Special thanks to de Champagneman for providing this bottle for tasting. Their dedication to showcasing unique and artisanal Champagnes continues to open doors to discoveries like Tentation. You can explore their curated selection at de Champagneman’s website.
Sometimes our best discoveries come from trusting smaller voices that speak authentically about their craft.
More information about the Champagne: https://champagne-boutillier-poissinet.com/champagne-cuvee-tentation/
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