Article: Champagne Bérèche et Fils
Champagne Bérèche et Fils
Champagne Bérêche et Fils is one of those producers I buy at every opportunity and recommend frequently. Anytime someone asks me for a grower Champagne recommendation, Raphaël’s and his infectious personality come to mind.
I’m thrilled to offer today a mixed case (12 bottles) of what is being called “The Collectors Case” packaged in wood 6pks - only 200 were released. It highlights all of their best terroirs from the most recent disgorgement.
For years I was only offered their NV Brut Reserve, which, by the way, is arguably one of the finest entry level Champagnes you can buy, and you’ll see below, we do have in stock. It wasn’t until a visit 5 or so years ago that I was exposed to the entire range of wines, which opened my eyes to this amazing estate.
After spending an afternoon with Raphaël and hearing him talk in great detail about the wines and the winemaking, I am convinced he has touched every vine on the estate. The attention to detail is unmatched and the resulting wines are exhilarating. These are authentic, soulful wines and can be enjoyed on the younger side, but have the ability to age as long as you can keep your hands off them. These are arguably among the finest wines being produced in Champagne today.
With unrelenting hard work, brothers Raphaël and Vincent Bérêche have led this domaine to become a benchmark for quality through a philosophy that emphasizes minimal intervention and a deep respect for terroir. They farm organically and biodynamically where possible, avoid herbicides, and vinify with native yeasts. Many of their wines undergo primary fermentation in oak barrels, and most if not all the wines see no malolactic fermentation, which I feel preserves the freshness and complexity which are hallmarks of their impressive lineup of wines.
The estate holds just over 9 hectares of vineyards, primarily across Montagne de Reims and the Vallée de la Marne, with plots in Ludes, Ormes, Ay, Mailly, Cremant, Mareuil-le-Port, and Trépail, among others. Each site is carefully managed to reflect the nuances of its microclimate and soil - the biggest issue here is many of these plots are relatively small in size with production being just a couple of hundred cases per year. You can see from the photo above - each barrel represents 25 cs.
If you are a Champagne Connoisseur this is something worth owning.
The 2017 Extra-Brut Aÿ Grand Cru is another stellar wine from Bérêche in this difficult vintage. Even so, all the richness, power and intensity of Ay comes through loud and clear. The wine's presence and textural resonance are simply captivating. The Grand Cru is 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay, a blend that works especially well this year.
- Vinous/Galloni, 95
30% Chardonnay, 30% Meunier, 40% Pinot noir
Terroir: Montagne de Reims - Ludes Premier Cru, Ormes, Trépail || Vallée de la Marne 0 Mareuil le Port, Aÿ Grand Cru
Age of the vines : 42 year
Production : 85 000 bottles, 3 950 magnums, 303 Jéroboams
Passage en cave : 24 à 36 mois
Note : The magnums are aged under cork capsules and disgorged by hand. The Brut Réserve, a blend of 70% wines from the base year vintage with the balance of reserve wines from the previous years, composed of the traditional blend, approximately one-third each of the Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. A model of harmony, nuance and verve, it is a pure expression of the varied terroirs that demonstrates the Bérêche brother’s great skill and originality.
