Besserat de Bellefon Grande Tradition Brut Champagne – France
The Besserat de Bellefon Grande Tradition Brut is an elegant, beautifully balanced non-vintage Champagne that combines freshness, richness and the exceptionally fine effervescence for which this historic Champagne house is known.
Crafted from 45% Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Noir and 20% Pinot Meunier, Grande Tradition brings together the finesse and freshness of Chardonnay with the structure, fruit and depth of the two Pinot varieties. The result is a versatile Champagne equally at home as an aperitif or at the table.
The wine opens with a bright yellow-gold color and a persistent stream of delicate bubbles. Aromas of Mirabelle plum, white peach, citrus, honeysuckle and acacia lead into a fresh, structured palate. Chardonnay provides elegance and lift, while Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier contribute ripe red fruit, strawberry, honey and additional body.
The texture is creamy yet lively, with refreshing citrus acidity and a subtle mineral and saline character carrying through a long, generous finish.
A Champagne with enough freshness for celebration, but enough vinosity and structure for the dinner table.
91 Points – Wine Enthusiast
Wine Enthusiast awarded Besserat de Bellefon Grande Tradition Brut 91 points, praising its rich, finely textured character, white-fruit and citrus flavors and excellent overall balance.
90 Points – Wine Spectator
Wine Spectator – 90 Points
Wine Spectator found a plush, creamy Champagne with ripe white raspberry, persimmon and almond character, energized by lemony acidity and finishing with mineral, oyster-shell and saline notes.
The Besserat de Bellefon Style
Founded in 1843 by Edmond Besserat in Aÿ, Besserat de Bellefon has a long association with gastronomy and the great restaurants and hotels of France. The house later became particularly famous for a distinctive Champagne-making method developed in 1930 to create wines with an unusually delicate mousse and creamy mouthfeel.
Rather than pursuing sheer power or aggressive effervescence, the Besserat de Bellefon style emphasizes finesse, texture and food compatibility.
A defining element of the house method is the use of less liqueur de tirage during secondary fermentation. This creates lower pressure and exceptionally fine bubbles—historically described as approximately 30% finer than those of traditional Champagne—giving the wines their characteristic smooth, creamy mousse.
Grande Tradition provides an excellent introduction to that signature style.
Winemaking
Grande Tradition is sourced from vineyards across Champagne and is built around a Chardonnay-led blend:
45% Chardonnay
35% Pinot Noir
20% Pinot Meunier
The wine is matured for approximately three years, allowing the fresh fruit character to develop greater complexity while retaining the bright acidity essential to the Besserat de Bellefon style. Available technical information also indicates that malolactic fermentation is avoided, helping preserve freshness and aromatic precision.
Tasting Notes
Appearance: Bright, pure yellow-gold with fine, persistent bubbles.
Aroma: Mirabelle plum, white peach and citrus mingle with honeysuckle, acacia and delicate floral notes.
Palate: Fresh and structured on entry, developing ripe strawberry, red fruit, honey and white-fruit flavors. Creamy texture is balanced by lively citrus acidity and subtle mineral and saline character.
Finish: Long, fresh and generous, with lingering fruit, honey and mineral notes.
Food Pairing
Besserat de Bellefon has long emphasized Champagne as a wine for the table rather than simply a celebratory aperitif, and Grande Tradition is especially versatile with food.
Try it with oysters, langoustines, grilled red mullet, scallops, sushi, smoked salmon, roasted poultry, white meats or creamy cheeses. Its combination of freshness and texture also makes it an excellent aperitif.
Serve chilled at approximately 46–50°F (8–10°C).
Wine Details
Producer: Besserat de Bellefon
Wine: Grande Tradition Brut
Country: France
Region: Champagne
Appellation: Champagne AOC
Type: Non-Vintage Brut Champagne
Blend: 45% Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Noir, 20% Pinot Meunier
Aging: Approximately 3 years
Dosage: Brut; approximately 10 g/L
Alcohol: 12.5%
Serving Temperature: 46–50°F / 8–10°C
Scores: 91 Points Wine Enthusiast | 90 Points Wine Spectator
About Besserat de Bellefon
Founded in 1843, Besserat de Bellefon has built its identity around Champagne made for gastronomy. Its wines became fixtures in restaurants, hotels and specialist wine merchants, with a house style centered on elegance, freshness and unusually refined effervescence.
In 1930, Victor Besserat developed the special technique that would become a signature of the house: producing Champagne with a finer mousse and creamy texture specifically suited to accompanying an entire meal. That philosophy continues today under Cellarmaster Cédric Thiébault and can be experienced across the Besserat de Bellefon range—from Grande Tradition and Rosé Brut to Blanc de Blancs and limited cuvées such as Triple B.
Why You'll Love It
Besserat de Bellefon Grande Tradition offers a compelling combination of historic Champagne pedigree, 91-point critical acclaim and a sophisticated, food-friendly style.
It is refined without being austere, creamy without being heavy and fresh enough to enjoy from aperitif through dinner. For someone discovering Besserat de Bellefon for the first time, Grande Tradition is an excellent place to start.
