Champagne 1er Cru Les Vignes de Vrigny Extra Brut (Non-vintage) - Egly-Ouriet

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Maison Egly-Ouriet is one of the most admired and exclusive Champagne houses, known for its limited production of top-quality Champagne. The Champagne 1er Cru Les Vignes de Vrigny Extra Brut is a unique wine, coming from a single vineyard of old Pinot Meunier vines, a rarity in the Champagne region. Although it is not a vintage wine, the high quality of the grapes and the skill of the producer guarantee a wine of great depth and complexity.

Champagne 1er Cru Les Vignes de Vrigny Extra Brut (Non-vintage) - Egly-Ouriet

Type: Sparkling wine or Champagne

Area: France, Champagne, Vallée de la Marne

Appellation: Champagne AOC

Grape variety: Pinot Noir

Vintage: Non-vintage

Winery: Egly-Ouriet

Alcohol: 12%

This wine is in the top 30 out of 421 tasted.

The appellation: Champagne AOC

The Champagne AOC is one of the most prestigious and widely recognised appellations in the world, a symbol of excellence in the production of Metodo Classico sparkling wines. Officially established in 1936, this appellation protects the production of sparkling wines made exclusively in the historic Champagne region, in north-eastern France.The term "Champagne" is not just a geographical name, but a globally recognised mark of quality. Strict production rules ensure that every bottle of Champagne AOC meets the very highest standards of quality, tradition and authenticity.

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What to eat with Champagne 1er Cru Les Vignes de Vrigny Extra Brut

Who makes it: Egly-Ouriet

Founded in 1930 by Marcel Egly, the Egly‑Ouriet house is today run by the fourth generation, in particular by Jean‑Michel Egly and Sébastien Egly.In the village of Ambonnay, one of the most prestigious Grands Crus of the Montagne de Reims, the estate has kept a vigneron approach, favouring highly precise work in the vineyard and in the cellar . Guiding principles: Wholly hands-on viticulture: 40–70-year-old vines grown on clay-limestone and chalky soils Spontaneous fermentations, with indigenous yeasts Long ageing on the lees (up to 10 years for some cuvées) No dosage or minimal dosage, to preserve purity and terroir

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The vine of Champagne 1er Cru Les Vignes de Vrigny Extra Brut

Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir is one of the most fascinating and noble black grape varieties in the world. Famous for its elegance and complexity, this variety is at the heart of some of the most prestigious wines on the globe, particularly the wines of Burgundy and Champagne AOC. Its versatility and its ability to reflect the terroir make it one of the varieties most loved by winemakers and wine lovers alike.

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Champagne 1er Cru Les Vignes de Vrigny Extra Brut: the terroir of the Vallée de la Marne

Vallée de la Marne

The Vallée de la Marne is one of the four main sub-regions of the Champagne region, along with the Montagne de Reims, the Côte des Blancs and the Côte des Bar. Lying along the course of the river Marne, this winegrowing area is famous for producing Champagne with a fruity, soft profile, thanks to the predominance of the Pinot Meunier grape.

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Climate: Continental

Altitude: Low Altitude (0-200 m above sea level)

Soil: Limestone / chalk

Geographical setting: Valley

Profile of Champagne 1er Cru Les Vignes de Vrigny Extra Brut

Primary aromas: Ripe red fruit, Mineral

Secondary aromas: dried fruit, mineral notes

Tertiary aromas: Nuts, Wet earth

Tasting notes: The Champagne 1er Cru Les Vignes de Vrigny Extra Brut (Non-vintage) - Egly-Ouriet stands out for its elegance and aromatic richness, with notes of ripe white fruit, bread crust and touches of citrus. On the palate the structure is well balanced, with a lively freshness that enhances its length and finesse.

Sulphites	I don’t know
Body	Full-bodied
Acidity	Medium-high
Tannin	Medium-low
Sweetness	Dry
Colour	Golden yellow
Clarity	Clear
Body	Medium-full

Winemaking methods used for Champagne 1er Cru Les Vignes de Vrigny Extra Brut

Alcoholic fermentation with indigenous yeasts

Alcoholic fermentation with indigenous yeasts is a winemaking technique that brings out the authenticity of a place and the natural expression of the grape. In this process the must ferments thanks to the wild yeasts present on the grape skins and in the cellar environment, with no cultured yeasts added. It reflects a craft, sustainable philosophy aimed at highlighting the unique character of the terroir.

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Metodo Classico

The Metodo Classico is a refined sparkling winemaking technique used to produce high-quality sparkling wines. This method, also known as méthode champenoise (when speaking of Champagne), involves a second fermentation in the bottle, which gives the wine its characteristic fine, persistent bubbles, together with complex aromas and an elegant structure.

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Second fermentation in the bottle

Second fermentation in the bottle is the distinctive stage of the Metodo Classico (or Champenoise), the technique used to produce high-quality sparkling wines. After a first fermentation that gives rise to a base wine, the wine is bottled with the addition of a “liqueur de tirage” (a mixture of sugar and yeasts) which starts a new fermentation directly in the bottle, responsible for the natural formation of the bubbles. This practice lies behind some of the world's most refined wines, such as Champagne, Franciacorta, Trento DOC and Crémant.

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Ageing methods used for Champagne 1er Cru Les Vignes de Vrigny Extra Brut

In bottle

Ageing in bottle is a fundamental stage in the production of quality wines, during which the wine continues to develop in an oxygen-free environment. This process allows the wine to harmonise its components, soften the tannins and develop more complex, mature aromas, without the external influence of wood or other materials.Ageing in bottle can last from a few months to several years, depending on the type of wine and the style sought, and is particularly used for structured red wines, long-lived whites and metodo classico sparkling wines, improving their elegance, finesse and length on the palate.

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In bottle (over 36 months)

Ageing in bottle for more than 36 months is a practice reserved for wines for long laying down, designed for those seeking depth, finesse and maximum aromatic development. During this extended period, the wine matures sheltered from light and oxygen, letting time do its work in silence. This stage is particularly important for vintage wines, riservas and great classics, which in this way reach a perfect balance between intensity, elegance and sensory complexity.

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Time on the lees for Champagne 1er Cru Les Vignes de Vrigny Extra Brut

Very long (over 36 months)