Eric Rodez : Blanc de Blancs Grand cru

Characteristics and Tasting Tips for the Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru by Eric Rodez

Tasting

Appearance

The colour is a clear, luminous gold, with a fine, steady bead that bears witness to a long maturation on the lees.

Nose

The nose unveils a complex bouquet of stone fruits (peach, pear) and more exotic touches of ripe pineapple, enriched with notes of honey and spice from the ageing. Delicate white-flower nuances mingle with hints of pastry, brioche and toast, set against a mineral backdrop evoking wet stone and chalk.

Palate

The palate is chiselled and profound, carried by a beautiful density of fruit and a well-integrated acidity. The Extra Brut dosage heightens the sensation of freshness and dryness, while the acid structure, resulting from the near-total absence of malolactic fermentation, brings tension and energy. The long, persistent finish brings back notes of ripe fruit, honey, gentle spice and chalky minerality.

Food and Wine Pairing

This Champagne is an elegant companion to delicate fish such as turbot, sole or sea bass, particularly when prepared with light beurre blanc sauces or with lemon and fresh herbs. It also pairs beautifully with noble shellfish such as lobster, langoustine or scallops, especially when lightly grilled. Its vinous structure also allows it to match white meats and poultry in creamy sauces with mushrooms. Among cheeses, it is a perfect partner for aged hard cheeses such as Comté or Beaufort.

Serving and Cellaring

The Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Eric Rodez is ideally served at a temperature between 10 and 12°C (50 to 54°F), in order to fully reveal its fruit and pastry aromas without losing its crisp acid tension. Thanks to its pronounced acid structure and the richness provided by the reserve wines, this Champagne has fine ageing potential in the cellar, gaining aromatic complexity over time while retaining its balance.

A Chiselled, Mineral Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru from Ambonnay, Crafted by Eric Rodez

The Estate

Based in Ambonnay, a Grand Cru village of the Montagne de Reims, Champagne Eric Rodez is a family-run house whose winegrowing roots date back to the 18th century. Now run by Eric Rodez and his wife Martine, the estate stands out for its early commitment to organic and biodynamic viticulture, as well as high environmental value practices. A renowned grower-winemaker, Eric Rodez conceives his Champagnes as blends composed across several vintages, drawing on a rich reserve of wines from different years.

The Vineyard

The vines from which this Champagne is made are located exclusively in the Grand Cru of Ambonnay, within the Champagne appellation, on the Montagne de Reims. The soils, dominated by chalk and complemented by limestone and clay, give the Chardonnay a pronounced minerality, while chalk's ability to regulate water supply helps keep the grapes fresh. The vineyard is farmed according to the principles of organic and biodynamic agriculture, with particular attention paid to soil life and biodiversity.

This cuvée blends Chardonnay from several harvests, with a large proportion of reserve wines kept over several years. The blend thus combines wines from recent vintages with older ones, offering a continuity of style and an aromatic depth greater than that of a strictly vintage Champagne.

Vinification and Ageing

The Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Eric Rodez is vinified largely in oak barrels, with the remainder made in stainless steel tanks to preserve a measure of freshness and aromatic purity. Malolactic fermentation is carried out on only a small proportion of the wines, which helps retain a lively acidity and good ageing potential. Ageing then continues on fine lees for an extended period, followed by a prolonged rest in the cellar on lattes that completes the development of the wine's complexity.

Grape Variety

This Champagne is made from Chardonnay.