Champagne Discovery

Our “Champagne of the Month” for January 2025 is from Drappier, situated in Urville in Bar-sur-Aube.

 

Founded in 1808 on the site of the medieval Clairvaux Abbey, this family domaine is run by Michel Drappier ably supported by daughter Charline and sons Hugo and Antoine. The family estate extends to 27 hectares, predominantly located in their home village. Pinot Noir represents 70% of the vine stock with Chardonnay and Meunier accounting for much of the remainder. Over 3.5 hectares of the estate is held over to historical varieties: Arbanne, Blanc Vrai (Pinot Blanc), Fromenteau (Pinot Gris) and Petit Meslier.

 

In the vineyard, the practice of enherbement is actively encouraged, no herbicides or pesticides are used and the land is worked manually, horses and non-mechanised machinery. Electric tractors are also being added to the stable to further enhance the domaine’s green credentials. As well as being certified organic with Ecocert, Champagne Drappier were the first maison to be certified carbon neutral with Écoact. Two thousand square metres of solar panels account for around 75% of the domaine’s electricity requirements which includes running the electric fleet of tractors and goods vehicles. Electric vehicle charging points are also available to visitors to the estate. A new shape of bottle was designed by Michel which is 15% lighter than a traditional version and an array of recycling projects are in operation. Champagne Drappier take every effort to reduce their carbon footprint “from vine to wine”.

 

In the winery, cellar master Elysé Brigandat is supported by patriarch André, Michel and Hugo during the blending process. The domaine uses some of the lowest sulphur levels in the industry, fining and filtering is eschewed ensuring no animal products are required. Vinification is in oak casks – muids and demi-muids, a egg-shaped oak cask is also used for the prestige cuvée “Grande Sendrée”.

 

Quattuor IV is a blanc de blancs consisting of equal parts Arbanne, Blanc Vrai, Chardonnay and Petit Meslier. Born from the Kimmeridgian limestone soil of Urville, the grapes are pressed by low-pressure, gravity-fed presses; thus allowing for a minimal addition of sulphur. The wine is allowed to settle naturally and undergo malolactic fermentation. It is afforded 3 years on the lees prior to disgorgement when it is dosed with 4.2gl. 

 

 

Tasted 15:45 Friday 10th January 2025 (flower day in the lunar calendar) 

 

Glassware: Chef and Sommelier – Reveal’Up ‘Intense’.

 

Appearance: Clear, deep, lemon.

 

Characteristics: Pronounced intensity with primary aromas of honeysuckle, chamomile, apple blossom, red apple, pear, quince, gooseberry, grapefruit, pomelo, lemon juice, lemon rind, lime, nectarine, apricot, lychee, green mango, honeydew melon, passion fruit, pineapple and star fruit. There are secondary notes of sable biscuit, toast, toasted brioche, lemon meringue pie, key lime pie, vanilla and chausson-aux-pommes. Tertiary aromas include ginger, hay, honey, dried apple, marmalade and cobnut.

 

Price circa €75.00 

 

Drappier have been a firm favourite of ours for many, many years and 

is a wonderful family maison, driving sustainability whilst continuing to produce exemplary wines.