Yet, life is short and the world unfolds in strange ways. So I do not hesitate to pop a cork and enjoy the present moment because every day is infinitely rich and beautiful. Especially when a fall day seems more like summer and you have a chilled bottle of Champagne Briaux Lenique just waiting to be opened ahead of Champagne Day. For instance, their parents started the brand in in the heart of the Marne Valley, three kilometers from Epernay. In , Nathalie came back to take over after a successful career.
Their four-hectares of vineyards include 21 plots on clay-limestone slopes, half of which are planted with Pinot Meunier, then Chardonnay and Pinot Noir on the remainder. We more commonly know RM as a grower champagne — all the grapes used to produce the Champagne are grown on vines owned by the producer versus purchasing grapes from somewhere else.
Nathalie continues this and also eliminated all herbicide and chemical use on their land. Each center around protection and respect for the environment. On the winery side, Nathalie rethought the entire structure of the cellar, modernizing the premises to provide direct access for her wheelchair. She succeeded in making the winery accessible for independent travel, but also opened it up to wine tourism with a bright and pleasant tasting room. And I note an entire visit throughout the winery is accessible for people with reduced mobility.
Annual production: About 35, bottles of Champagne, most are sold in France. As I said, it was no mistake I met the Lenique sisters. Their Champagnes tick many boxes— woman owned, operating sustainably, always looking for ways to improve, and they are top-notch, like my favorite, Perle de Craie.
The name means pearl of the limestone chalk, referring to their limestone soil. We chose homemade pizza on the grill caramelized onions, Buratta, figs, arugula with Champagne Briaux Lenique Perle de Craie- the pairing was delicious! In the glass it pours pale golden-yellow in color with aromatic white peach, yellow pear and apple, brioche, sweet spice and mild hazelnut. Three words to sum it up: complex, rich and generous. Where ever you are, I hope you are able to open a bottle of Champagne and celebrate the day — cheers!
