Champagne Vauversin "Orpair" Blanc des Blancs GRAND CRU 2020

 Maison Vauversin, Oger

The Maison Vauversin currently managed by Laurent Vauversin and his father Bruno, has existed since the 17th century. In 1640, Nicolas de Vauversin was the first to plant vines in the little village of Oger (near the town of Épernay), on the Côtes des Blancs. Fifteen generations succeeded him. In 1930, Bruno’s grandfather Fernand Vauversin, became a pioneer: he stopped selling his grapes to local merchants and decided to commercialize his own champagne.

Laurent loves his vineyard above all, not as a production site but as a complete ecosystem he needs to protect, with its rhythm, its biodiversity, its soul… The entire estate was consequently switched to organic winemaking in 2011. He wants to create the best possible and most sensible transition, between preserving centuries of experience and new, contemporary impulses and visions.

The winery received certification in 2014, making it the first organic house in Oger. Biodiversity in the vineyard has been particularly important to Vauversin. The vineyard plots are enriched with diversified seedlings (cereals, legumes, flowers, etc.), more perennial plantations of aromatics (lavender, rosemary, sage, etc.) and various different types of tree. Laurent believes that when a positive energy is cultivated in the soil and the vines, it is carried over to the people who enjoy his champagnes.

All champagnes are vinified with native yeasts at ambient temperatures and are not filtered. They contain very little sulphur (less than 35mg/l). The riddling takes place by hand in the natural cellar. All the wines are extra brut, some are zero dosage.

We work with five of Laurent’s cuvées. Chardonnay rules in the Côtes des Blancs, these particularly chalky soils on a largely eastern-facing escarpment give the wines their special nerve and verve. The wines from this sub-region of the Marne have Grand Cru status.

Orpair is a multi-parcel selection on the hillside of Oger (including the lieu dits of Chênets, Bellevoyes and Gallois). These are the first plots harvested, the vines (over 30-years-old) cultivated on a slope perfectly exposed to achieve early maturity. The soil is rich with light clay and well degraded with flinty intrusions – the chalk is deep there. This wine is vinified as soon as it leaves the press in old oak barrels (over 20 years old). A totally delicious Champagne, bold, rich, developing and distinctive. Aromas and flavours of white peach and white strawberry with a fullness deriving from the lees and mineral salty seashell quality. Full-bodied and rich in both texture and flavours.

Grape: Chardonnay

Organic