Dehours : Grande Réserve

Characteristics and tasting notes of Dehours "Grande Réserve" cuvée

Tasting

Appearance
The appearance of this cuvée stands out for its particularly soft and creamy effervescence.

Nose
The aromatic bouquet unveils lovely floral notes reminiscent of apple blossom, honeysuckle and elderflower. These delicate scents are accompanied by an expressive fruity profile marked by pear, peach and hints of orange zest.

Palate
Both indulgent and fruity, the attack is ample and fleshy, offering a singular texture evoking peach skin. The palate reveals complex flavours of cooked white cherry, dried raspberry, salted almond and candied blood orange peel, all perfectly balanced by a vibrant acidity that brings a great deal of freshness.

Food and wine pairings
Thanks to its beautiful tension and salinity, this wine is particularly enjoyable as an aperitif. It pairs wonderfully with oysters and seafood, but also enhances white fish in sauce, light poultry, as well as matured cheeses such as Comté or Brie. More daring pairings with foie gras or Iberian ham are also recommended.

Serving and cellaring
To reveal all the complexity of the "Grande Réserve" cuvée, it is advisable to serve it in a large white wine glass at a temperature above 10°C. Decanting is entirely possible. This wine offers immediate pleasure within two to three years of its disgorgement, while also showing fine cellaring potential, allowing it to be enjoyed until around 2028.

The authentic expression of Champagne terroirs by Dehours

The estate
Founded in 1930, Dehours is a family estate located on the left bank of the Marne Valley, in Mareuil-le-Port. Today, the third generation, embodied by Jérôme Dehours and his sister Caroline Laisne, runs the property. They have made their mark by championing a form of viticulture that respects biodiversity and a low-intervention approach. The vineyard extends over 14.5 hectares divided into forty-two plots. The House stands out for its determination to reflect the pure identity of its terroir, producing wines recognised for their authenticity.

The vineyard
Located in the heart of Champagne, the vineyard extends over forty-two plots spread across the communes of Mareuil-le-Port, Oeuilly, Cerseuil and Troissy. The vines flourish on complex soils composed of clay and sand resting on a limestone bedrock. The estate favours an approach that respects biodiversity, characterised by natural grass cover between the rows and mechanical soil work.

The blend
This emblematic cuvée is crafted from a base harvest from the year preceding bottling. It is complemented by a significant proportion of reserve wines, representing around 30 to 40% of the blend, drawn from a perpetual reserve initiated in 1998 in order to bring remarkable complexity.

Vinification and ageing
Vinification takes place mainly in stainless steel tanks, complemented by a passage in used oak barrels, through the action of indigenous yeasts. Malolactic fermentation is fully carried out. The wine benefits from ageing on full lees and from natural clarification by decantation, without any fining or filtration. Finally, ageing continues in bottle for a period ranging from 15 to 27 months.

Grape varieties
The blend showcases the emblematic grape variety of the estate and the region, with 65 to 70% Meunier, complemented by 20% Chardonnay and 10 to 15% Pinot Noir.