Leclerc Briant was an early adopter of organic practices beginning in the 1960’s and pioneered the concept of single-vineyard Champagne starting in the 1970’s. Fifth generation vigneron, Pascal Leclerc started to follow biodynamic principles in 1988, with part of the production Demeter certified since 2003. Today, enologist Hervé Jestin continues the legacy of this visionary house. Ten hectares of vineyard spread between the Premier Cru villages of Cumières, Hautvillers, Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, Bisseuil in the Vallée de la Marne, Villers-Allerand and Rilly la Montagne in Montagne de Reims and the Grand Cru villages of Cramant and Le Mesnil-sur-Oger in the Côte des Blancs. Leclerc Briant also holds long-term contracts with another 8 hectares of biodynamically farmed vineyards. Grand Blanc is 100% Chardonnay from the Grand Cru village of Cramant in the Côte des Blancs region of Champagne. Fermentation and aging take place in used 225-liter French oak barriques for ten months followed by five years aging in bottle sur lattes. The wine receives no dosage with less than 1 gram per liter of residual sugar.

PENFOLDS X Thienot Lot 1 175 Blanc de Blanc, Champagne

Dom Pérignon is the most famous Champagne in the world, and for good reason. The bouquet sparkles with delicate fresh violets in a setting of white peaches. The soft delicate flavours continue while the senses are tickled by the most delicate of fine bubbles. Though this is such a fine delicate wine, the complexity is astounding, along with its length. Stunning.

Château d’Avize is one of only a few châteaux in Champagne, and the only one with a Grand Cru status. Using their biodynamic principles, the pope of Bio Dynamic and Organic Viticulture, Hervé Jestin and the Leclerc Briant team have created an extraordinary, age-worthy Champagne which demands cellaring to reach its potential. This Blanc de Blancs combines Leclerc Briant’s characterful, stimulating style; the tension of the 2013 vintage; and the power of the Avize terroir – the grandest of all the villages in the Côte des Blancs. Avize, already home to some of Champagne’s most iconic and collectable producers, has a new shining star of the champagne world. The Champagne develops a fruity, coated and juicy substance, supported by a lemony acidity. The salinity and dryness enhance a rich and suave finish.