Champagne Discovery
beyond the bubbles
CHAMPAGNE IN NUMBERS
CHAMPAGNE AOC
34,300 hectares
319 villages (crus)
280,000 plots (lieux-dits)
15,700 growers
4,700 récoltants
390 négociants
125 coopératives
CHAMPAGNE IN NUMBERS
GRAPES
Pinot Noir 38%
Chardonnay 31%
Meunier 31%
Historic varieties <0.4%
Arbane, Fromenteau, Petit Meslier, Pinot Blanc
CHAMPAGNE IN NUMBERS
BEST MODERN VINTAGES
1982
1985
1988
1996
2002
2008
2012
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-seven 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 and Marc 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
A. BERGÈRE
Les Clos 2020
Our “Champagne of the Month” for April 2025 is produced by A. Bergère, a family domaine situated in Fèrebrianges in the Vallée du Petit Morin.
The domaine was founded by Albert Bergère in 1949 and is currently under the stewardship of André and his wife Brigitte who took control of the estate in 1986, expanding their holdings with plots in Étoges and Congy. Later additions were acquired in the Côte des Blancs and Sézannais; thus increasing their Chardonnay stock. In 2104, the fourth generation Adrien took over the winemaking side of the business following his œnology studies. Adrien substantially changed the doimaine’s ethos, buying their first oak barells and concentrating on single plot vinification. In the meantime, Brigitte purchased the impressive real estate on the Avenue de Champagne where the tasting boutique and chambres d’hôtes are now situated and run by Adrien’s sister Annaëlle. Together, Adrien and Annaëlle opened the bar-restaurant “La Cave de l’Avenue”; situated at the town centre end of the Avenue de Champagne.
Today, the estate totals 45 hectares, 35 of which are within the Vallée du Petit Morin in the villages of Fèrebrianges, Étoges and Congy. The remaining 10 hectares can be found in the Sézannais at Bethon and Sézanne as well as the Côte des Blancs at Avize, Chouilly, Cramant, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger and Oger. As well as comprehensive changes to the winemaking, Adrien is changing the way in which the estate is farmed. Aiming for sustainability, 12 hectares are currently farmed organically.
“Les Clos” is a single vineyard, vintage blanc de noirs consisting of 100% Meunier from 2020. The plot is situated in Fèrebrianges where the soil is sand and clay and the vines were planted in 1970. 45% is vinified in 225 litre fûts de chêne and the remainder in cuve inox. The wine is not filtered and dosage is at 2gl. The production totalled 2100 bottles.
Tasted 17:45 Wednesday 23rd April 2025 (root day in the lunar calendar)
Glassware: Lehmann Hommage
Appearance: Clear, medium, gold.
Characteristics: Pronounced intensity with primary aromas of geranium, orange blossom, red apple, pear, orange juice, orange peel, peach, apricot, Mirabelle, galia melon, pineapple and wild strawberry. There are secondary notes of chausson aux pommes, crema Catalana, toffee apple, strawberry tart, abricotine, vanilla, cloves, toasted brioche, and butterscotch. Tertiary aromas include almond, hazelnut, caramel, dried apple, candied peel, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, hay and honey.
Price circa €65.00
We have followed the progress of champagne A. Bergère since 2011 and the last few years has seen the wines go from strength to strength, the current line-up being excellent.
tchin tchin
WHAT'S IN OUR GLASS
Some of the most recent wines we have been enjoying.
Tchin tchin!
And now for something a little different - champagne without the bubbles!
Moutardier - Le Breuil Rouge 2022 (meunier)
Barnaut - Bouzy Rouge 2012 (Pinot Noir)
Marc Augustin - Lune Rouge (Pinot Noir)
George Rémy - Les Vaudayants 2019 (Pinot Noir)
Marc Augustin - Lune Rousse (Chardonnay)
La Borderie - Les Devoix 2020 (Pinot Noir)
Gonet-Médeville - Cuvée Athénaïs (Pinot Noir)
Famille Moutard - Rosé des Riceys 2013 (Pinot Noir)
Geoffroy - Cumières Rouge (Pinot Noir)