Champagne Fleury, Fleur de L'Europe Brut Nature, Champagne, France

Producer Profile

Champagne Fleury was founded in 1895 in Courteron in the heart of southern Champagne region of the Côte des Bar, sitting among the clay-limestone hillsides formed in the Kimmeridgian period by the first tributaries of the Seine.

The family’s passion for viticulture has been fuelled by the growth of Biodynamic principals, to be respectful of the natural order of things, the heritage of the terroir and to be costodians of the terroir, keeping it in balance and to unearth its mysteries with minimal impact. Under the skill, guidance an wisdom of Jean-Pierre, three of his children continue to keep the mission going. Innovation has always played a key role in the Fleury family. Each generation has had to produce novel approaches during difficult times. Emile Fleury was audacious enough to graft the first Pinot Noir vines in the region after the devastating phylloxera invasion in the early 20th century. When the economic crisis hit in 1929 his son Robert Fleury saved his small vine-growing business by venturing into champagne production. In doing so he became one of the first “grower-producers” of the southern Champagne region. In 1970 Jean-Pierre Fleury took over and in 1989 he was the first to apply biodynamic practices to the vineyard; only partly at first and then entirely in 1992. Jean-Sébastien is also at the heart of innovation at the domain, experimenting with grafting techniques, as well as reintroducing horses to work on certain plots. He has installed a “gallery of casks and barrels” to utilise and created the first sulphur-free wines of the domain. Equally, Benoît is currently experimenting with massale selection and agroforestry as new ways of cultivating the vines in symbiosis with an adapting environment.

Viticulture

Their terroir situated in the most southernly part of Champagne, benefits from a very particular geology, formed in the Kimmeridgian at the time of the Upper Jurassic. The subsoils are essentially made up of marly limestone or clay-limestone with naturally draining slopes, excellent for growing vines.

Winemaking

The first ever biodynamic cuvée in Champagne! The pressing of grapes and the vinification follow our own guidelines which preserve and enhance fruit flavours. Afterwards, the bottling process is preferably done on the “fruit days”. A blending of vintage and reserve wines, fermentation is done in temperature controlled stainless steel and oak barrels. The reserve wine is aged in oak tuns, and malolactic fermentation is not carried out. Zero dosage

Tasting Note

Subtle and fresh, the aromas of white flowers and some spice give way to raspberry, dried tea leaves, as well as some floral notes, red apple and honey. There is a crispness and minerality to the wine, with well balanced acidity and a little salinity on the finish.

Food Matching

Grilled sea bream, parmesan and broccoli risotto and sweetbreads.