Nicolas Maillart Champagne Mont Martin 1er Cru Brut Nature Blanc

In the northern hemisphere, it is thought to be almost impossible to grow quality grapes beyond the 50th (north) and 30th (south) parallels. Only within this area do vines find the comfort and conditions needed to grow the best version of their clusters. However, there are people who say that limits are there to be pushed.

Not far beyond, but very much on the edge of these lines, lies the A.O.C. Champagne, one of the most famous denominations in the world located in northwest France. Viticulture here is not impossible, but it is not easy either considering the location (Reims lies at 49.5° and Épernay at 49°). Sometimes the winegrowers become real heroes, dealing with winter frosts, summer heat and constant rain throughout the year. Nicolas Maillart is part of this group, the most recent generation of a family of winegrowers. Since the 18th century, the Maillart family has worked in Ecueil, in the Montagne de Reims, unraveling the secrets of the terroir. The climate (one of the three elements in this holy trinity) is visible to the naked eye, but the task of understanding and knowing the soils is much more complicated. In fact, depending on its nature and composition, it will be home to one type of vine or another. Nicolas Maillart Champagne Mont Martin 1.er Cru Brut Nature Blanc is a single-variety Meunier, with grapes grown in a premier cru vineyard in Villers Allerand, on loamy and limestone soils. This variety makes up 31% of all grapes grown in the A.O.C. Champagne and is characterised by surviving and recovering better from frost (due to the late opening of its buds).

Nicolas Maillart Champagne Mont Martin 1.er Cru Brut Nature Blanc is vinified in barrels and aged on the lees for 8 months. According to Richard Juhlin (journalist and writer specialising in Champagne) “several of the tasters unanimously agreed that Nicolas Maillart Champagne Mont Martin 1.er Cru Brut Nature Blanc was the best pure Meunier wine in its history.” We will have to try it for ourselves to see if they are right ;)