The Ernest Rapeneau Brut Champagne is a $10.99 Trader Joe’s import Bubbly (this is a half bottle, 375 ml, standard bottles are 750 ml), this is a blend of 45% Pinot Noir, 35% Pinot Meunier, and 20% Chardonnay grown in vineyards thru-out the Champagne AOC. Ernest Rapeneau is a 2nd generation, family owned Champagne House founded in 1927, they are headquartered in the town of Epernay, which is the main hub of the Champagne region, Moet Chandon and Dom Perignon are not far away. This is a Blanc de Noir wine which means that Red grapes were used (both Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier are Red grapes), a Blanc de Blanc wine indicates only Chardonnay was used (there are other White grapes approved for Champagne, but they are a very minor consideration). A half bottle of real-deal Champagne at $11 means that if you buy 2 you’re getting the equivalent of a full bottle of Champagne for 22 bucks which is seriously inexpensive for real Champagne (Champagne is not a generic term, it has to be grown and produced in Champagne to be called Champagne). As a Bubbly reminder, Champagne and Champagne-style wines are fermented twice, the first more or less like regular still wine, then the wine is bottled and before the temporary cap is attached they place a measured amount of yeast and sugar into each bottle. This Bubbly/Sparkling wine is then aged (with the spent yeast and sugar still in the bottle) for a minimum of 1 1/2 years. For comparison, with Prosecco the 2nd fermentation occurs in huge pressurized vats and lasts of weeks, sometimes up to a couple of months, so the production methods are vastly different. The alcohol content is 12%.
The color is a golden-yellow, with loads of energetic tiny bubbles heading for the surface. The nose is lemon, bakery bread, green apple, and melon. Real Champagne hits your palate in a very unique way, I am not sure if it’s from the pressure in the bottle (Champagne typically has the highest internal bottle pressure of any Sparkling wine/Bubbly) or the inherent minerality, but when you drink Champagne, you know it. This is a smooth but not creamy Bubbly, it tastes of lemons and limes, green apple, beastly bread, and melon, gee, that’s the same description as the nose, that does not happen too often. The mid-palate shows a slap of minerality and a little salt. At first I thought the acidity may be a little too much, but after the second sip things calmed down. The finish is full and long.
Now, I like all sorts of Sparkling wine/Bubbly, and there are a whole slew of Bubbles that really bring a boat-load of bang for the buck. But with that said, nothing tastes like Champagne. It is the Bubbly that all other Sparkling wines measure themselves against. And typically Champagne just plain cost too much, you could get a satisfying glass of Bubbles from somewhere else for a 1/3 of a 1/4 the price. The Ernest Rapeneau Brut Champagne Trader Joe’s kind of solves that problem, 11 bucks for several glasses of Champagne sure beats the price that a wine bar would charge. And 22 bucks for the equivalent of a full bottle of Champagne makes the Ernest Rapeneau Brut very affordable especially when compared to the price of the typical entry-level Champagne. Affordable Champagne, what’s this world coming to?
Can I order a case of Ernest Rapeneau Brut Champagne 375 ml?
Just had it, and thought it was pretty mediocre.
The split bottles of Ernest Rapeneau champagne are now selling at Trader Joe’s at $9.99 a bottle. This champagne is very good. Stock up now because Trader Joe’s only carries them in Thanksgiving and Christmas.
I was not impressed, the taste lingers too long. It has an after taste..did not pair well with cheese and crackers. I enjoyed the strawberries and dark chocolates after to help cleanse my palette from the harsh affects of the Ernest Rapeneau brut.
Summer is for bubbles so when I was at Trader Joe’s I had to try it. At $9.99 a bottle it’s an easy sipper. If I am spending under $10 for a half bottle why take it too seriously? Lots of tiny bubbles and enjoyable after the first sip. Again, I’m not spending $50 or $75 bucks here so let’s keep it real. Super fun! Just went back for a case to have it on hand. My go to is Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Brut but sometimes I I just want a glass or two that won’t break the bank. Grab it and have fun with it and leave your lofty expectations at the door. Ernest Rapenau, thank you for this offering in a 375ml bottle. Perfect! Cheers!
Absolutely delightful. I stock up whenever it’s in stock so I can have some indulgence for a big night in by myself. I just feel better and more relaxed all round after a single glass, and then there’s more.
Can I order a case of it? For how much? It is seasonal at Traders and I prefer this size bottle.
Thanks for the great description — explanation of champagne process and all. I’m studying this for my new novel in the champagne world and you were very clear and succinct. Picked up a bottle at Trader Joes and just opened it. Wanted to get reviews and found your page. I like that it’s real Champagne from Epernay (the company history at Hautvillers is a bonus), and I LOVE the split size–great for a quick glass. Will be getting more at TJoes.
We recently found the splits at Costco, enjoyed it very much for the price, and will definitely purchase again. To those who take exception to the recommendations here, why are you paying any attention to us at *cheap* wine finder?
You may call it a cheap wine finder selection, and this bottle may be cheaper than most champagnes, but I give it 4 stars. For those of us who are not collectors, a good champagne or wine isn’t based on its price or label but how it impresses you! I’m impressed! It’s better than most white wine and prosecco in my opinion.