Champagne Pierre Brocard - 'Bulles de Blancs' Extra Brut 2015

Champagne Brocard Pierre produces handmade, terroir-focussed wines with great transparency and electricity, without the aid of chemicals or the winemaking sleight-of-hand common in the world’s most recognizable wine appellation. The vibe at Brocard Pierre is a reflection of Thibaud: fresh and young; jovial, but always on-point. He delivers precise, gastronomic Champagnes designed for maximum pleasure at the table with friends, without pretense. 

Vigneron Thibaud Brocard is the fifth generation of Champagne Brocard Pierre to work his family vineyards near the village of Celles-sur-Ource in the Seine river valley, known as the Barséquanais area of the Côte des Bar, the southernmost subregion of Champagne. Côte des Bar, located about an hour north of Chablis in the Aube department of France, is the transition point between Champagne and Burgundy. It was part of Burgundy for centuries until the French Revolution. This cultural association still forms the basis for the region’s winemaking philosophy, as well as its traditions and gastronomic identity.

As a condition of Thibaud’s succession to the helm of the family business, he is only interested in pursuing wines of exceptional purity and character, without makeup or boundaries. His mission is to make the best, most delicious, and joyous wines possible from the geographically- and biologically-diverse Côte des Bar region. This statement may seem simple on the surface. Yet, it is a sentiment that is exceedingly difficult to attain, given the reality of the variable and often harsh climate of northern France. It takes ingenuity, dedication, and talent to bring ideals such as these to life. 

Bulles de Blancs shows great complexity and definition, with an incredibly long finish
designed to elevate food-pairings. The nose is delicate and floral, with notes of lime
blossom, vanilla, fresh hazelnuts, and citrus. To the palate, it is refreshing, vinous, and
substantial, with no heaviness and substantial depth and minerality.

Grapes are manually harvested and then gently pressed in a vertical Coquard press. Only the heart, or the cœur de cuvée, of the first pressing is utilized. Primary fermentation is spontaneous with native yeasts in stainless steel tanks. Malolactic fermentation is natural and spontaneous and the wines are not filtered or cold-stabilized. After secondary fermentation in bottle, the wine ages on its lees for five years before disgorgement and a final dosage of 1g/L of organic cane sugar. Wines are held at the winery after disgorgement for a minimum of six months to settle before sale.

Producer: Pierre Brocard 

Country: France

Region: Champagne 

Varietal: Chardonnay 

Appellation: Champagne 

Vintage: 2015

Size: 750ml