Champagne Discovery

Our “Champagne of the Month” for January 2026 is from Champagne Augustin of Avenay-Val-d’Or in the Eastern Vallée de la Marne; which today is run by Maxence, the son of husband-and-wife team Marc and Emmanuelle who really put this incredible domaine on the map around 10 years ago. The Augustin history dates back five generations to Andrée Lefèvre who began producing champagne from her own grapes as opposed to selling to the negociants. Quite an unusual process in the early 20th century when many récoltants survived by planting potatoes between the rows of vines and keeping poultry in their yards. Remember, this was a time when the Cru system was in full swing and only those with 100% rated Grand Cru vineyards received the maximum price for their grapes. 

 

Fast forward to the 1970s and 1980s and Marc’s father; Jean took the bold step to eschew the use of chemicals which was taken up so willingly across the appellation along with the dumping of Parisian rubbish to prevent plant life growing between vine rows. This means that the Augustin vines have not had such pollutants deliberately introduced. Today, the domaine is certified organic and biodynamic with both viticulture and viniculture being carried out in accordance with the lunar calendar. Homeopathic remedies, dynamisation and horse-drawn ploughs are used in the vineyards. Maxence believes that “wine is a living organism which responds to the way it is handled”. He has continued driving forward innovation with projects such as the sublime cuvée Gaia, coteaux and ratafia. When we visited in the beautiful September sunshine, work on their brand new restaurant overlooking the Vallée de la Marne was well underway and we can’t wait to return!

 

O² Rosée is a vintage wine, born from the 2019 harvest consisting entirely of Pinot Noir from 40-year-old vines from Avenay-Val-d’Or; grown on clay-limestone soil. It is the epilogue of Champagne Augustin’s elemental range, representing water. A rosé wine, it is made using the traditional saignée method, vinification is carried out with indigenous yeasts created from lees of the previous year’s wines. No sulphur is added and the wine is neither fined nor filtered. 11 months aging in foudres prior to the wine being disgorged in 2024 without dosage. Sealed with a natural cork, alcohol is at 12% abv.

 

 

Tasted 15:00 Saturday 27th December 2025 (fruit day in the lunar calendar) 

 

Glassware: Chef & Sommelier Reveal’Up ‘Intense’

 

Appearance: Clear, deep, salmon.

 

Characteristics: Pronounced intensity with primary aromas of geranium, violet, strawberry, wild strawberry, redcurrant, cranberry, red plum, nectarine, blood orange, fig, prune, strawberry jam and lavender. There are secondary notes of shortbread, strawberry cheesecake, summer fruits tart, brioche de Saint Genix, cloves, nutmeg, butterscotch and charred wood. Tertiary aromas include hazelnut praline, strawberry toffee, caramel, marmalade, dried apricot, dried cranberry, plum compôte, heather honey, vegetal and forest floor.

 

Price circa €102.00 

 

We first met Marc in London some 11 or 12 years ago when we were able to try his wines and learn about his philosophy and Maxence has continued to deliver excellence. The domaine produces some distinctive and delicious wines and are well-worth seeking out. Even the two funky coteaux, you will not be disappointed! 

 

This natural wine is an utter delight, delivering a very fine mousse; it is bursting with fruit and has a mesmerising lingering finish.