Champagne Brut Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Encry

Brut Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs is Encry's flagship cuvée, the label that marks the opening of the tastings in the winery and already offers a beautiful insight into their meticulous, artisanal production reality. Champagne produced by Italians is indeed a dream come true, thanks to the dogged determination of Enrico Baldin and Nadia Nicoli.

The Brut Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs is one of Domaine Encry's interpretations of the reference variety of the Côte des Blancs, namely Chardonnay. The grapes come from various plots scattered around the classified Grand Cru territory of Le Mesnil sur Oger: they are cultivated following biodynamic principles and with a particularly full planting density of 10,000 vines per hectare. The soil is characterised by the elements that have made the village famous and so sought after: composite rocks, a small percentage of clay and, above all, the fundamental presence of calcium carbonate, which acts as an important water reserve that the roots of the vines can draw on in periods of major water shortage. Harvesting is done strictly by hand and once in the cellar, the grapes are pressed in the traditional Coquard, the vertical press with a capacity of 4,000 kilos. Alcoholic fermentation is spontaneous, using only indigenous yeasts, and takes place in temperature-controlled steel tanks for 15 days. After static decantation, to clarify the wine without using filtration, and eventually stop the malolactic fermentation, the cuvée of the vintage is blended with approximately 20% reserve wines. The Champagne rests in the bottle on the lees for 42 months and the final operations of remuage and degorgement are carried out by hand. The final dosage is less than 5 grams per litre.

Brut Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs made by Encry reveals a brilliant appearance with a very fine effervescence and a bold straw-yellow colour. The aromas are rich and articulate, presenting a sequence that ranges from nuances of white lemon and orange blossom flowers to notes of ripe yellow fruit, with pleasant hints of citrus and toast. The stony sensations are already noticeable on the nose and the sip confirms a very distinct chalky minerality that, in combination with the creamy bubbles, leaves a sense of body and silkiness on the palate. The vivid freshness refreshes the palate and leaves herbaceous and citrus hints. A velvety and persistent Champagne to pair with shellfish and seafood or even white meats in sauce.