November 12th: Champagne Waris-Larmandier
At Vinonueva | 5145 NE 2nd Ave, Miami, FL, 33137 | 7:00 pm-8:30 pm
Click HERE to get tickets
In partnership with De Maison Selections
Discover in this Walkthrough Tasting a different side of Champagne with Waris-Larmandier. From biodynamically farmed Grand Cru vineyards to its distinctive perlé style and use of perpetual reserves, this family estate challenges some of Champagne’s conventions while remaining deeply connected to its roots in Avize in the Côte des Blancs.
BACKGROUND
In the heart of Champagne’s Côte des Blancs, the village of Avize is home to Waris-Larmandier, a family estate whose roots in the region stretch back to the 18th century. Today, the domaine brings together generations of winemaking history, a commitment to biodynamic farming, and an approach to Champagne that puts each vineyard's character at the center.
The estate was founded in 1989 by Marie-Hélène Larmandier and Vincent Waris, both descendants of families deeply connected to Champagne. After Vincent’s untimely passing in 2000, Marie-Hélène continued running the domaine until the next generation took the reins in 2009.
Today, the estate is shaped by their three children: Jean-Philippe, Pierre-Louis, and Inès Waris, who together represent the Racines de Trois, or "Three Roots." Each brings a different perspective to the family project. Jean-Philippe oversees the vineyards and winemaking, Pierre-Louis contributes his background in architecture, and Inès, an artist and designer, is responsible for the distinctive floral labels inspired by the windowboxes of their family home.
A DIFFERENT APPROACH TO CHAMPAGNE
Waris-Larmandier farms six hectares of vineyards, primarily across the Grand Cru villages of the Côte des Blancs, including Avize, Cramant, Chouilly, Oger, and Le Mesnil-sur-Oger. Many of these vines are more than 40 years old, with some exceeding 70 years.
After studying biodynamic farming with Benoît Lahaye, Jean-Philippe began converting the family vineyards to organic and biodynamic agriculture, a process that culminated in Demeter certification in 2020.
But the estate's approach goes beyond the vineyards.
Waris-Larmandier follows several practices that distinguish its Champagnes from more conventional expressions. Rather than the typical six bars of pressure, the wines are bottled at approximately four to four and a half bars, following a traditional Avize style known as perlé. This produces a softer, creamier mousse.
The family also works with a perpetual cuvée of Chardonnay, started in 2011, incorporating wines from successive harvests into its multi-vintage Champagnes to build complexity and depth. Extended aging is another defining element, with some wines spending years developing before release.
Perhaps most interesting is the family's dedication to individual vineyard sites, or lieux-dits. Historic parcels, some planted by earlier generations of the family, are vinified separately to explore their individual expressions. Produced in very limited quantities, these single-vineyard Champagnes are released only when the family considers them ready.
Check out the lineup for this tasting:
- Waris-Larmandier Champagne 'Racines de Trois' Brut NV
- Waris-Larmandier - Champagne Grand Cru 'Particules Crayeuses' Blanc de Blancs-Extra Brut (Magnum) NV
- Waris Larmandier Champagne Les Regards D'Avize 2018
- Waris Larmandier Champagne Les Regards D'Avize 2019
- Waris Larmandier Champagne Chetillon De Haut Blanc De Blancs Grand Cru 2018
- Waris-Larmandier - 'Les Bauves' Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Cramant Brut Nature 2014
Photo Credits: Waris-Larmandier