André Roger, France
Most of the vineyards are listed as 100% Grand Cru. In the vineyard the methods used are faithful to the Champagne tradition while using modern techniques to improve quality. The approach of minimal intervention allows the soils to fully express their potential.
Viticulture
The philosophy of minimum intervention is applied at all times allowing the soils to express their full potential. In the vineyards, great care is taken with the soils, and in several plots grass is grown between the rows, which helps lessen the use of chemical weed killers. The implementation of a softer approach to viticulture requiring fewer fertilizers and chemicals as well as green harvesting in some delicate plots give them better control of the yields.
Winemaking
Following the advice from their oenologist, one third of the wines are matured on their lees in oak casks. For a better ageing potential and to obtain fresher and fruitier wines, they don't trigger malolactic fermentations for vintage or Grande Cuvée wines. Before bottling, there is only one filtration followed by ageing on the lees for between 15 and 48 months. When disgorging, dosage is done with natural liquors.
- Minimum intervention viticulture including grass between the rows and other soil management techniques.
- Green harvesting is carried out to control the yields.
