Alfred Gratien : Vintage Brut 2007

The opulence and indulgence of a vintage Brut champagne

The estate

Alfred Gratien founded this eponymous house in 1864. Located in Épernay, at the heart of the Champagne wine region, the Alfred Gratien House has advocated for a rigorous selection of grapes and vinification in barrels as well as volume control to preserve the terroir’s original character and to exude all of the freshness of the wines.

Alfred Gratien Champagne is produced from a know-how which has been transmitted from father to son for multiple generations and which contributes to the unique style of the house’s cuvées.

The vineyard

The Alfred Gratien Champagne House overlooks 1.56 hectares of vines situated on two exceptional Premiers and Grands Cru terroirs in the Champagne region: the Côte des Blancs and the Montagne de Reims. The house completes its supplies by acquiring grapes from over sixty long-standing and loyal winegrowers who have worked with the house for generations.

Winemaking and ageing

Exclusive use of the first press. Since 1864, vinification has been entirely carried out in oak barrels of at least 4 previous wines. This method encourages the wines’ micro-oxygenation, conferring complexity and roundness. Plot-based vinification without malolactic fermentation to preserve the whole fruit and the characteristic liveliness of these wines with significant ageing potential.

Blend

The Vintage Brut 2007 cuvée by Alfred Gratien is made from a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier.

Tasting

Colour

The wine is an intense and luminous golden yellow, reflecting the maturity of this cuvée. The effervescence is fine and lively.

Nose

The first nose combines fragrances of citrus and boiled fruit with flavourful notes of bread and brioche. The nose becomes more and more ample over aeration, unveiling fruity (peach, apricot) and spicy aromas.

Palate

A supple and effervescent attack gives way to a structured, rich and lively attack. This powerful and generous palate seduces with its opulence and warmth, a characteristic from the vintage. During the tasting, the palate blends notes of candied fruit and nougat with a silky palate up to a complex, mineral and persistent finish.

Serving

For an optimal tasting, serve at 10°C in a relatively large flute.

Food and wine pairings

This Vintage Brut 2007 by Alfred Gratien goes perfectly with a Bresse chicken with cream, a Saint-Pierre fish with hollandaise sauch or even cheese from Soumaintrain.