Yann Alexandre Champagne Roche Mère Brut Nature Blanc

For Yann Alexandre, work in the vineyard is a set of details that make sense when they come together. Finding the perfect balance of his 6.3 hectares is the ultimate goal of this winegrower and winemaker who aims to produce “a champagne that is as natural as possible”. Considering his horticultural approach, where the vineyard is cultivated like a large orchard or garden, the quality of his sparkling wines is even more noticeable, speaking for themselves with the nuances of the soil. For Yann Alexandre, this is the where everything begins and he pays tribute to it with creations like Yann Alexandre Champagne Roche Mère Brut Nature Blanc.

If you are really looking for a champagne where you can recognise the soil, a champagne that speaks for itself, this is the one for you. As the name suggests, Yann Alexandre Champagne Roche Mère Brut Nature Blanc is named after the chalk, the rock bed, the origin of everything in the A.O.C. Champagne. Without this porous soil, formed by fragments of marine microorganisms deposited millions of years ago, nothing would be the same in this region of northwestern France. If this soil were eliminated from the sparkling wine equation, the area’s typical varieties wouldn’t respond in the same way, nor would it be possible to produce champagne (despite using the same production methods). Instead, what you would get would be some other type of sparkling wine, a very good quality one for sure, but one that you couldn’t associate with the most famous bubbles in the world. Yann Alexandre knows this, and that is why he works hard to cultivate each of his 28 plots spread over the Petite Montagne de Reims, mainly in the village of Courmas (about 10 km southwest of Reims). Assisted by his wife Séverine, he uses intensive cultivation methods. Here, on a wide variety of soils (ranging from yellow tuff, to white marl, to calcareous clay and white stone with flint), Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grow (in that order). Each variety and plot is vinified separately.

The Yann Alexandre Champagne Roche Mère Brut Nature Blanc production method is very special, as it is blended with a reserve wine and finished with a small amount of dry Chardonnay (instead of using the famous expedition liqueur). To begin with, Yann Alexandre Champagne Roche Mère Brut Nature Blanc ferments and ages in stainless steel tanks for 6 to 8 months. This is the first phase for this sparkling wine, which continues with the blending of 30% reserve wine. In previous years these wines weren’t used to make champagne and remained in the winery (both in barrels and tanks). These wines are often blended with those of the current vintage, like Yann Alexandre Champagne Roche Mère Brut Nature Blanc. After this blending, the sparkling wine is bottled and rests for another five years, waiting for the second fermentation in the winery, until it comes to disgorgement. This process, which involves eliminating the dead yeasts, begins the third and final phase of this sparkling wine. A small amount of Chardonnay is added instead of the corresponding expedition liqueur. This liqueur, which is usually made up of wine and sugar, is added to the bottle just before the cork is put in.

We don’t know the reason behind that. A touch in the vineyard, another touch during the production process and a little magic at the end of the process. The point is that Yann Alexandre Champagne Roche Mère Brut Nature Blanc is a very special sparkling wine. Proof that many details working together is a recipe for success.