Tasting Notes
Terre de Vertus is one of three single-terroir Chardonnay wines produced at this Estate and certainly the most famous. It is from the chalky 1er Cru vineyard plots of Les Barillers and Les Faucherets, situated mid-slope in Vertus. These sites make arguably the most explicitly mineral wines of the village; wines that can recall the best of Le Mesnil (to the north) in their chalky raciness and drive.
This was fermented naturally and aged 60% in neutral barrique and 40% in large wooden Stockinger cask. Malolactic fermentation began spontaneously (without inoculation) and the wines were left on their natural lees for nearly a year. After the second fermentation the wine aged in bottle on cork, and there was no dosage addition at disgorgement in order to respect the purity of the terroir. The result is one of the most distinctive and mineral wines of the entire Champagne region and today it is one of the touchstone wines of the great grower movement.
This wine has always been non-dosé--since the mid 90's, long before it was fashionable. The Larmandiers made the decision because this particular terroir (when farmed in their way: old vines, biodynamics, low yields, etc.) works best without any additions. This Terre de Vertus is very classic in style. You can expect a wonderfully fine, savoury dry white that offers complex hints of bosc pear, fresh salt, earth, preserved lemon, and chalk. It's ultra-fine and pure and although it is terrific now (don't be scared to decant!), you will be amply rewarded if you can rest it for three to six years on cork. Try it with oysters, terrine, hard cheeses, roast chicken or grilled white fish. - Importer Note
Pierre Larmandier and his wife Sophie meticulously manage this estate. Pierre inherited the family's Côte des Blancs vineyards in 1988, and since 1992, he has transitioned to herbicide-free, organic, and now biodynamic farming—a rarity in Champagne, where only 2% of vineyards are certified organic. The estate spans 18 hectares, mainly in Vertus at the southern tip of Côte des Blancs, with holdings in Cramant, Chouilly, Oger, and Avize. Notably, many vine parcels are 50 to 70 years old, resulting in low yields, averaging 50 hl/ha.
In the winery, they embrace a classic "minimalist" approach, using indigenous yeasts, extended fermentations lasting up to two months, and minimal sulfur. They employ various fermentation and aging vessels, including large oak vats and amphorae. Dosage levels are kept very low to maintain neutrality, and in some cases, like the Terre de Vertus, no dosage is added. In essence, their focus is on showcasing the vineyard, the village, and the vintage to the fullest. The resulting wines reflect their origins superbly, offering finesse, vinosity, and a captivating mineral intensity that entices you to return to the glass sip after sip.
| Product Type | Wine Sparkling Champagne |
| Volume | 750ml |
| Country | France |
| Region | Champagne |
| Sub Region | Vertus |
| Winemaking Practices | Minimal Intervention |
| Vineyard Practices | Organic/Biodynamic |