De Sousa Champagne Grand Cru Extra Brut Blanc de Blanc Reserve

De Sousa Champagne Extra Brut Blanc de Blanc

During World War I, Portuguese Manuel De Sousa goes to France to fight with the Allies. Returning home at the end of the conflict, the economic crisis convinced him to return to France and settle in Avize, Champagne. His son Antoine married a winemaker’s daughter, Zoémie Bonville, and together they founded Domaine De Sousa, currently run by Erick De Sousa.

The winery produces 75,000 bottles and owns 11 hectares divided into 42 plots with an average age of the vines of 45 years. In 1989, Erick began the conversion of the Domaine’s vineyards to organic farming, completing the transformation in 1999. Today, tractors are no longer used for field operations, but horses are.
Fermentation is carried out in steel cuves, using only indigenous yeasts. For grapes from vineyards over 50 years old, vinification takes place in barrels to give the wines more plumpness.

All of Erick’s Champagnes undergo malolactic fermentation with the intention of having more roundness, as they are characterized by an edgy, penetrating minerality that is classic of Avize Chardonnays.

An authentic and unique Champagne made exclusively from Chardonnay, a white grape with white juice.
Although less well known to the public than blended Champagnes, blancs de blancs (100% Chardonnay) are particularly sought after by connoisseurs, who appreciate their delicate aromas and vibrant freshness.
“Brut Réserve” is a blend of two or three different vintages and contains at least 25% reserve wine.
TASTING:

Color: golden, with green hues. It leaves a “necklace” of small, long-lasting bubbles on the surface. Impressive clarity.
The intense nose is evidence of surprising maturity. In addition to notes of freshly roasted coffee, eucalyptus and dried fruit, there is a very expressive floral character.
The palate is very rounded with honeyed accents. While the dosage is evident, the result is well balanced. The finish is long and pleasantly refreshing.

Terroir
Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
Terroir: Cramant, Avize, Oger, Mesnil sur Oger and Chouilly en Grand Cru
Soil type: 100% chalk
Average age of vines: 43 years
Grades: 12.5% Vol
Method: Organic and biodynamic
Vinification
Manual harvest: 100%
Aging: in tank
Dosage: 7gr / L
Reserve wine: 30%
Filtration and clarification: no
Disgorgement: see back label
Presentation
Recommended aging time: 3-5 years Serving temperature: 8-10°c
Food/wine pairing: Seafood, cheese, saltine crackers, fish
Tasting commentary
This Champagne, Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs, will delight you with its freshness, elegant finesse and pure minerality. Notes of brioche, butter and ripe citrus will enhance your palate.