Champagne Discovery

beyond the bubbles

Le Champ du Clos, Vallée de l'Ource - Champagne Charles Dufour

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ABOUT US

We are Gita and Lee, two self-confessed champagne lovers for whom this effervescent drink has been a huge part of our lives since meeting twenty-two years ago. Our first trip to the region was in 1999 to source bottles for our wedding. Since then, we have been visiting several times a year, have tasted thousands of champagnes and continue to discover amazing new producers, incredible wines and stories. We are immensely passionate about the top quality smaller domaines who tell a narrative through their creations, from vineyard to bottle. As well as the bubbles, Champagne is home to some excellent still white, red and rosés too; not to forget Ratafia de Champagne. This famous region is fortunate to be home to a myriad of World class winemakers, producing an array of diverse wines, we really are spoilt for choice. We love wine, we absolutely adore champagne!

Tchin tchin!

Champagne of the Month

DRAPPIER

Rosé Brut Nature

Our “Champagne of the Month” for April 2021 is the Rosé Brut Nature from Champagne Drappier. Based in the village of Urville in the Aube region, the family can trace its roots back to the 12th century; the company began production in 1808. It is rare for us to review négociants but this family run domaine is a top quality outfit.

Three generations are involved in the business with André passing on the reins to Michel some years ago; his children Charlene and Hugo are the latest in the line of Drappier’s to join the company. The Drappier family is famed for being the first to bring to and cultivate Pinot Noir in the region; this was back in the 1930’s and of course it is now the dominant variety. Drappier themselves have 35 hectares of Pinot Noir at their disposal in Urville located on Kimmeridgian soil which the area is famous for.

In the vineyards, the family practice sustainable viticulture and in the cellar a minimal approach is taken wherever possible. The press is gravity fed which negates the requirement of pumping and therefore limits oxygenation. In turn, this vastly reduces the need for sulfur addition in the wines. Champagne Drappier is also a carbon zero business which is an impressive feat.

Rosé Brut Nature is a non-vintage wine made of a blend of 100% Pinot Noir. It is produced by way of the saignée method, with a long 3 day maceration period which produces a gorgeous deep smoked salmon colour. Vinified in stainless steel tanks with a cool two week long fermentation process, malolactic fermentation is allowed to occur naturally. Only the first pressing is used, the wine is unfiltered and following bottling it spends approximately 3 years sûr lattes. It was disgorged without dosage in December 2018 and sealed with a natural cork. Alcohol is at 12% abv.

Tasted 15:55 Friday 26th March 2021 (fruit/sowing day in the lunar calendar).

Characteristics: Pronounced intensity with primary aromas of chamomile, violet, orange blossom, orange peel, mandarin, Spartan apple, raspberry, wild strawberry, Mirabelle, lychee, pineapple, blueberry, white pepper, wet raspberry leaf (raspberry field after summer rain), lavender, flint and a chalky salinity. There are secondary notes of short crust pastry, summer berry tart, biscuits Fossier, buttered toast and shortbread. Tertiary aromas include marmalade, dried apricot, plum tarte tartin, lavender honey and cinnamon. The mousse is delicate whilst the finish is long.

The Drappier family produce fantastic wines and this is another gem. Capable of accompanying food – fatty fish such as Salmon would be an ideal partner; it is simply perfect for enjoying by itself on a beautiful Summer’s evening as we did the first time we tasted this outstanding champagne. Whilst drinking brilliantly now, it has potential for further ageing.

Price circa €38.00