Champagne Alain Vincey Brut NV

Alcohol: 12.5%

Grape(s): Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier

Localization: Champagne, France

Tasting Notes: A traditional blend of equal parts Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier; it's crisp and alive with white fruits with pretty accents of chamomile, toast, and tangy citrus.  Finishes crisp and clean with light toast, apple, and pear notes lingering.  You simply cannot find a true Champagne as beautiful and delicate as this at such an astonishing price point for a tiny production wine.

The Domain: Quentin Vincey is the eighth-generation champagne grower in Oger, a small village in the Côte des Blancs, situated between the famous villages of Avize and Mesnil-sur-Oger. This is the heart of the Côte des Blancs, a district renowned for its Chardonnay grapes.

Until 2014, the Vincey family grew their grapes and delivered them to the local cooperative after harvest.

In 2010 Quentin took over, and things started to change. Ten years later, he still sells some grapes to small organic “houses” (brand owners who mostly make champagne from bought-in grapes), but he and Marine keep grapes from 4 hectares for themselves. They have converted the family’s 7 hectares to organic viticulture. They are inspired by biodynamic farming and spray with essential oils, and plant extracts help to keep their vines healthy. Five hectares out of the seven will soon be Demeter biodynamically certified.

They made their first “own” Champagnes in 2014, only 4000 bottles, but every year the quantities increase a little bit. Starting on your own can be a challenge. Quentin and Marine are open-minded. “We learn a lot from tasting wines blind with friends, including wines from other regions”, says Marine. They also appreciate having winemaker friends who are willing to give advice. But I have the impression that they are very much following their own path.