100% Chardonnay - Zéro dosage – Aging in oak barrels – Malolactic fermentation – Sur lattes : 6 years
Champs Rayés means ‘striped field’, referring to the two different coloured veins of marl that run through the vineyard. These vines are located in the nearby town of Noé-les-Mallets, which is especially known for producing excellent Chardonnay. The wine is aged in oak barrels and then kept on its lees for six years before being disgorged non-dosé. Fresh and light, with notes of white fruit, grapefruit and undertones of cream and hazelnuts. Delicate, yet expressive with a fresh, mineral finish.
CHAMPAGNE PIOLLOT, Roland Piollot, Polisot
Biodynamic certified by Demeter
Champagne Piollot is produced by Roland Piollot and his wife Dominique Moreau (Champagne Marie Courtin) from family-owned vines in the Aube. The vineyards are located primarily in the town of Polisot, where the family has had strong roots since the early 20th century. In 1911, Roland’s great-grandfather was one of the leaders of the famous Aube revolt, which ensured that the Aube would remain an official part of Champagne. As of 2018, Roland and Dominique have been joined by their daughter, Jeanne.
Roland's father was extremely passionate about vineyard work and replanted all of his vineyards using the selection massale method (he even kept some of the old Pinot Blanc vineyards that most of his neighbors were replanting to Pinot Noir or Chardonnay). In 1986, Roland decided to bottle the wines himself, and in
2009, he converted all 10 hectares of vineyards to organic farming. Essentially overnight, the Piollot’s production was radically changed. Rather than using the standard recipe of “Brut, Rosé, and Vintage,” the family decided to lead with three single- vineyard cuvées made from a single variety: Pinot Noir (Côme des Tallants), Champs Rayées (Chardonnay), and the hometown favorite Pinot Blanc (Colas Robin). Since the conversion to organic farming, the Piollots have continued to find ways to improve their stewardship of the land, and in 2020, they obtained biodynamic certification for all of their vineyards. The still wines are all vinified with native yeasts and are mostly aged in steel tanks, though a bit of the base wine does go into barrels and foudres. Their rosé is produced in years where the Pinot Noir shows especially great quality, and occasional micro-cuvées also appear from time to time. Bottles are kept on the lees for four to six years (!) and are then disgorged with no dosage, except their rosé which receives 3g/l dosage.