Ep 479: Champagne Le Brun de Neuville -- Côte de Sézanne's Stunning Sparklers

<p>Agathe Bellanger from <a href= "https://lebrundeneuville.fr/en/cote" target="_blank" rel= "noopener">Le Brun de Neuville Champagne</a> joins to discuss the Chardonnay-centric Côte de Sézanne, the role of growers and smaller co-ops, the terroir of this small sub-region, and the beautiful wines her group makes. I LOVE these wines, which focus on longer lees aging.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img style= "display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src= "https://assets.libsyn.com/secure/show/45638/MtDvtGVd_400x400.jpg" alt="" width="400" height="400" /><em><strong><span style= "font-size: 8pt;">Agathe Bellanger, Champagne Le Brun de Neuville. </span></strong></em></p> <p> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Here are the lines of wines from <a href= "https://lebrundeneuville.fr">Le Brun de Neuville</a>: </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><strong><a href= "https://lebrundeneuville.fr/en/cote" target="_blank" rel= "noopener">The Côte</a> :</strong> This is their house style, representing 80% of production. The goal of these wines is to express the terroir and the essence of Chardonnay. They are aged 3 to 4 years on the lees (the mandatory minimum is 15 months, and they go above and beyond). There are several wines in this line including a Demi-sec.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><img style= "display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src= "https://assets.libsyn.com/secure/show/45638/Brun_deneuville.png" alt="" width="400" height="195" /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><strong><a href= "https://lebrundeneuville.fr/en/les-chemins" target="_blank" rel= "noopener">Les Chamins</a>: </strong>Three wines in this line -- a blanc de blancs, rosé, and a Chardonnay and Pinot Noir blend -- are all single vineyard wines that represent specific plots and villages. In a nod to the historic methods, this wine is aged under cork instead of a crown cap. This method allows more oxygen transfer, and produces more complex flavors. Aged 4-5 years on the lees, this wine is excellent with food -- it is more gastronomic. </p> <p class="Mso