Champagne Les Prémices Egly-Ouriet | Champagne

Description: Les Prémices Champagne | Egly-Ouriet

While some Champagne houses focus on large-scale production,Egly-Ouriet favors a more limited output. Located in the Montagne de Reims, this grower-producer has made a name for itself with its characterful champagnes, which highlight the work in the vineyard and the expression of the terroir. Les Prémices is the estate’s most accessible non-vintage cuvée, yet it already reflects its style and expertise.

Terroir and Grape Varieties

Les Prémices comes from a 3.5-hectare plot located in Trigny, northwest of Reims. The vines are planted on clay-limestone soils rich in chalk, which contribute to the champagne’s freshness and minerality. The blend combines equal parts of the three Champagne grape varieties: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier. Chardonnay brings freshness, Pinot Noir provides structure, and Meunier adds fruity notes and roundness. The cuvée is based on a 2022 base, supplemented by 50% reserve wines from the 2021 and 2020 vintages, which lend it depth and complexity.

Viticulture and Winemaking

The vines are over 40 years old, and their roots extend deep into the chalky soils. The estate operates according to the principles oforganic farming, though it does not hold official certification. Winemaking takes place in oak barrels using indigenous yeasts, without chaptalization or filtration. Malolactic fermentation is not carried out in order to preserve the wine’s natural acidity and freshness. After winemaking, the champagne ages for between 36 and 48 months on racks, well beyond the regulatory minimum. The Extra Brut dosage remains very low, between 1 and 2 g/L, to allow the wine to fully express itself.

Champagne Les Prémices | Egly-Ouriet: The Sommelier’s Review

Philippe Mischler, sommelier at Mundovin

With Les Prémices, Egly-Ouriet succeeds in giving a non-vintage blend a true identity. Serve it at around 10°C, immediately after opening, without decanting, in elegant wine glasses. Its freshness and acidity will provide a lovely contrast to the delicacy of seafood.

The Nose

The nose opens with notes of fresh citrus, citron, and candied lemon, with a hint of grapefruit that adds liveliness. Delicate notes of white flowers and a subtle hint of brioche round out this fresh, elegant, and refined bouquet.

Palate

The liveliness and elegance of the bubbles support a body that is both dense and fresh. The crisp acidity—preserved by the absence of malolactic fermentation—pairs perfectly with notes of white fruit, candied citrus, and toasted hazelnuts. A mineral aftertaste lingers on the finish, anchoring this champagne in its terroir.

Champagne: Everything You Need to Know About This Appellation

Champagne is a wine-growing region in northeastern France, divided into several sectors, including the Montagne de Reims, the Vallée de la Marne, and the Côte des Blancs. Its chalk-rich soils promote drainage and contribute to the wines’ freshness. The three main grape varieties used are Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier. Champagnes are produced using the traditional method, with a second fermentation in the bottle followed by aging on the lees, which gives them their characteristic bubbles and aromas.

With Les Prémices, Egly-Ouriet offers a cuvée that truly reflects the estate’s style. Careful vineyard management, extended aging, and an Extra Brut dosage help preserve the wine’s freshness and allow the terroir’s characteristics to shine through. This approach prioritizes the champagne’s natural balance over the roundness provided by sugar.