Dhondt Grellet, Les Terres Fines NV

Adrien makes this with 45 year old Chardonnay grapes, which are organic but not certified and hand-harvested from a very chalky, east-facing plot in Cuis, a 1er Cru village. Fermentation is in inox steel and old oak with natural yeast and it undergoes a natural malo. The base is from 2015 and remaining 30% comes from reserve perpetuelle. Disgorged in October 2018 it has just 2g/l of sugar. Coming from nine different plots all from the limestone rich soils of Cuis with an average age of 45 years, Les Terres Fines is an expression of Chardonnay that could only come from Cuis. The base vintage makes up 70% of the blend with the remainder a perpetual reserve going back to 1986. Dosage is 0g/L.

Founded in 1986. Dhondt Grellets focus on biodynamic farming has translated into vivid champagnes from great parcels across the Cote des Blancs. The domaine is 6ha of Grand Cru and 1er Cru vines, with an average age of 40 years. A family run busniess, their son Adrien is now at the helm, together with his sister Alice. Inspired by the great white winemakers of Burgundy, Adrien is taking his family’s wines to another level, focusing on chardonnay and terroir.