Maison André Bergère : Les Peignottes Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut 2019

Characteristics and tasting tips for the Peignottes Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut 2019 from Maison André Bergère

Tasting

Appearance

The appearance is distinguished by its crystalline color and delicately brilliant hue that reflects light with remarkable clarity.

Nose

The nose opens with rich, intense floral notes evoking lily of the valley, orange blossom and jasmine. Beyond this floral expression, the wine gradually reveals a distinctive mineral complexity, with aromas of crushed chalk, iodine and wet flint. These mineral notes are interwoven with subtle impressions of dried fruits, notably hazelnut and lightly toasted almond, as well as a discreet touch of fresh citrus. The wine also displays an interesting aromatic evolution with the gradual emergence of toasty, biscuity and slightly brioche-like aromas.

Palate

On the palate, the champagne displays a beautiful structure characteristic of superior quality Blancs de Blancs. The wine first reveals a precise and balanced attack. Well-ripened white fruit aromas unfold with elegance: white peach, nectarine, ripe pear and ripe golden apple form the dominant fruity impressions. The acidity, although naturally high, is admirably integrated and provides the backbone that keeps the wine lively and dynamic. The wine possesses a notable creaminess of bubble, with a fine and persistent mousse that creates a rich and enveloping mouthfeel. The finish is considerable, with an aromatic persistence that extends well beyond the initial moment of swallowing. Particularly noteworthy is the delicately bitter finish, a noble and refined bitterness evoking notes of dried fruits, small red berries and a saline minerality, offering a conclusion of great freshness.

Food and wine pairing

This champagne pairs perfectly with warm Chaource cheese gougères adorned with shards of smoked cured ham. It also wonderfully accompanies raw or lightly cooked seafood such as oysters, scallops or pan-seared shrimp. Soft-ripened cheeses and grilled fish also make excellent pairings. For a more sophisticated match, this champagne harmonizes beautifully with capon stuffed with foie gras and mushrooms.

Serving and storage

The Peignottes Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut 2019 can be enjoyed from around 2026. Its peak extends from approximately 2031 to 2036, but the wine can be savored with pleasure until around 2041.

An exceptional Blanc de Blancs from the Grand Cru of Oger in the Côte des Blancs

The estate

Founded in 1949 by Albert Bergère in the village of Fèrebrianges in the heart of the Vallée du Petit Morin in Champagne, Maison André Bergère is today led by Adrien Bergère, a trained oenologist who joined the estate in 2014. The estate spans 45 hectares spread across the Vallée du Petit Morin, the Côte des Blancs and the Sézannais. Adrien Bergère introduced a philosophy of single-plot vinification and oak aging, transforming the estate's production to create cuvées that clearly express the essence of each microterroir. The vineyard is composed of 70% Chardonnay, 20% Pinot Noir and 10% Meunier. The Maison practices sustainable and environmentally responsible viticulture, with nearly 12 hectares farmed organically.

The vineyard

The Les Peignottes champagne comes from parcels located in the Grand Cru of Oger in the Côte des Blancs, a village internationally renowned for the purity and exceptional elegance of its Blancs de Blancs. The vines are among the oldest on the estate, with plantings dating back to 1920, 1975 and 1990. The soils of this parcel are primarily chalky with a slight sand content, the ideal geological substrate for extracting from Chardonnay an expression that is both mineral and elegant. The chalky terroir of Oger, blended with layers of clay, creates the ideal pedological conditions for producing champagnes that are world-renowned for their extraordinary aging potential, their evolving aromatic complexity and their ability to marry elegance with power.

Winemaking and aging

The vinification and lees aging of the Peignottes Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut 2019 were carried out in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks combined with partial aging in 228-liter oak barrels. This hybrid approach allows precise control of the alcoholic and malolactic fermentation in stainless steel, while the oak aging contributes the desired aromatic complexity and textural richness. The wine was not filtered, thereby preserving the overall integrity of the liquid and its delicate organoleptic compounds. This champagne features an extra-brut dosage with zero grams per liter of residual sugar.

Grape variety

100% Chardonnay