Louis Roederer has announced plans to launch a non-dosé style of champagne based on the 2006 harvest sometime towards the end of 2010.

Winemaker Jean-Baptiste Lecaillon said the new cuvée was the idea of Roederer MD Frédéric Rouzaud and would be positioned at a similar level to Roederer vintage in terms of price.

The move is part of a clear trend towards non-dosé and extra brut styles, which are currently being developed by quality producers such as Duval-Leroy and Philipponnat. Following their lead it may not be long before some of the other big players are tempted into the market.

Over two years ago Moët winemaker Benoît Gouez revealed that he had put together a tasting of all the non-dosé styles he could lay his hands on. Perhaps there is such a cuvée developing in Moët’s cellars right now?

News item from Imbibe.com, 29-01-2010