This year's Decanter World Wine Awards Regional Trophy for Non-Vintage Champagne went to Chanoir-Fresne, Brut Blanc de Blancs NV (12%)
Tasted against:
- No other Golds in this category
Profile:
Chanoir-Fresne is a house set up by the great-grandfather of current proprietor Dominique Chanoir. Throughout the years it has gradually been divided between succeeding family members and after World War II an important part of the property was destroyed. Fortunately this area was restored by Chanoir’s father and grandfather, yet the domaine was still relatively modest in size. Chanoir has since invested significant time, energy and money into increasing the land under vine, doubling total plantings in the past 20 years.
‘Located in the heart of the Montagne de Reims,’ says Chanoir, ‘we benefit from a favourable environment, which encourages us to always strive for perfection and excellence. We practice lutte raisonnée, which advocates the respect of soils and plants while limiting the use of fertilisers. I don’t like using insecticides and I implement cover planting techniques that limit erosion, stabilise soils and favour microfauna. In the cellar I’m respectful of the authenticity of the wine while combining traditional know-how with a sense of modernity.’
Chanoir believes this Trophy-winner to be ‘the authentic expression of the Chardonnay grape and the chalky soil of the Champagne area’. While he enjoys it as an aperitif, he also recommends pairing it with seafood.
Written by Decanter
