Nicolas Maillart Champagne Jolivettes Grand Cru Brut Nature Blanc

Lying between two rivers, the Marne and the Vesle, we find the Montagne de Reims, one of the four regions of the A.O.C. Champagne. In the north of the region, there is a wooded area where the kings of France were once crowned and that is now home to some of the most powerful and balanced sparkling wines. This is where the Maillart family has been making the most of the essence of this terroir for more than nine generations. Now, in the 21st century, it is Nicolas Maillart, the most recent generation of the family who continues to produce sparkling wines like Nicolas Maillart Champagne Jolivettes Grand Cru Brut Nature Blanc. 

 

As the name suggests, Nicolas Maillart Champagne Jolivettes Grand Cru Brut Nature Blanc starts life in Les Jolivettes, a grand cru that is more than 30 years old and lies in the village of Bouzy (in the southeast of the Montagne de Reims). Here, among the thick forest, the calcareous and limestone soils stand out. These soils are known as “greda” and are formed by marine microorganisms that were deposited millions of years ago. This is undoubtedly the area’s most characteristic and defining feature due to the drainage and great capacity to retain moisture. These soils provide the perfect conditions for the Pinot Noir vines to grow at their best, resulting in base wines that are then made into high quality sparkling wines. We also should not forget the manual care and organic approach that Nicolas Maillart takes in his vineyards, ensuring that chemicals do not mask the true essence and character of the A.O.C. Champagne’s terroir. 

 

Nicolas Maillart Champagne Jolivettes Grand Cru Brut Nature Blanc is vinified in oak barrels and aged on its lees for nine months before being released for sale. It is bottled and left to settle, without adding tirage or expedition liqueurs, allowing the magic of secondary fermentation to happen in the bottle, achieving maximum strength and flavour.