R. Pouillon et Fils Champagne Grande Vallee Extra Brut NV

Country: France

Region: Champagne

Type: Champagne

Grape: Chardonnay/Pinot Meunier/Pinot Noir

Working in the grand cru of Aÿ and throughout the Vallée de la Marne and the Montagne de Reims, Fabrice Pouillon, whose family has been growing grapes in the region for more than a century, is crafting articulate, expressive, terroir-driven wines that are vibrantly aromatic and complex.

Fabrice is dedicated to the vitality, energy and health of his vineyards. In 2003, he began the work of conversion to organic viticulture and today he incorporates biodynamic principles into his work including compost management, spraying herbal “teas” and applying 500 and 501 treatments. He currently uses only organic compounds for fertilizer, pheromone confusion to ward off pests, cover crops to restore nutrients in the soil and plows alternating rows to keep vine competition and soil aeration consistent despite varied growing conditions.  

This wine is a blend of crus from all of Pouillon’s holdings and is composed of roughly 65% Pinot Noir, 20% Pinot Meunier, and 15% Chardonnay. This cuvée has evolved over time and improved in quality to better reflect the evolution of the domaine at large. Formerly known as "Réserve Brut", the "Grande Vallée" cuvée is fermented with native yeasts, half in neutral barrique and half fermented in enameled tank. Elevage continues a minimum of 6-8 months before the wine is is blended with the previous vintage and the "perpetual cuvée" to be re-fermented in bottle utilizing unfermented grape juice from the same vineyards as its sugar source.