Pascal Agrapart, Les 7 Crus, NV

Mineral, Pure Fruit, Balanced

Champagne / Sparkling White / Chardonnay, Pinot Noir / Sustainable, Organic

This comes from vines in seven villages, including the Grands Crus of Avize, Cramant, Oiry and Oger. Blended from the 2018 and 2017 vintages and given over two years 'sur lattes', the dosage of 5g/l is well-judged, helping to emphasize its driving fruitiness and minerality. It is a perfect example of how a good NV champagne balances character and authenticity with sheer, delicious drinkability.  Always a pleausre to crack wines from Agrapart and Les 7 Crus is no exception.

Notes on the producer

The Agraparts have been renowned for the quality of their blanc de blancs champagnes for many generations and even when the world queues outside his door trying to get an allocation, Pascal continues to be modest, reserved and down to earth, a true farmer and man of the earth. No website here, certainly no social media, no mixed metaphors, complex allusions or word games. Logic and experience guide him – his own and that of his family before him. Taking over the domaine in 1985 Pascal has quietly progressed to the point where he is a true master of his profession. They have 12ha of vineyards, and 50% of the vines are planted in the grand cru of Avize, where Selosse also has most of his vineyards. When asked about the vineyard practices he explains, "my model is the pyramid. If the foundation is not solid, then nothing else works. I viewed the practices of previous generations as the base. If I had used herbicides then I would have undermined the foundations." Pascal works according to the natural rhythms in the vineyard. "The best treatments are sunshine, air and ploughing the vines.