Champagne Grand Cru VP Egly-Ouriet | Champagne

Description: Champagne Grand Cru VP | Egly-Ouriet

Champagne Grand Cru VP is one of the iconic cuvées from the Egly-Ouriet estate, a family-owned house based in Ambonnay, in the heart of the Montagne de Reims. Francis Egly champions an artisanal approach to Champagne, based on the quality of the grapes, meticulous care at every stage of winemaking, and extended aging in the cellar. This cuvée takes time to develop and fully reveals the richness of the house’s expertise.

Terroirs and Grape Varieties

This cuvée blends 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay, sourced exclusively from Grand Cru-classified plots. The grapes come from three renowned villages in the Montagne de Reims: Ambonnay, Bouzy, and Verzenay. Their clay-limestone soils, rich in chalk, impart freshness and minerality to the grapes. Pinot Noir gives the wine its depth and structure, while Chardonnay adds finesse, freshness, and a long finish.

Viticulture and Winemaking

At Egly-Ouriet, the vines are cultivated using organic viticulture practices—though not certified—with a particular focus on respecting the terroir and minimal intervention. The grapes are harvested by hand and then vinified in oak barrels, of which only 10 to 15% are replaced to preserve the balance between the fruit and the oaky notes. The cuvée is then aged for 7 years on lees, without fining or filtration. The Extra-Brut dosage, ranging from 1 to 3 g/L, is designed to allow the character of the terroir to fully express itself.

Champagne Grand Cru VP | Egly-Ouriet: The Sommelier’s Review

Philippe Mischler, sommelier at Mundovin

Egly-Ouriet is one of the houses that stand out in the Champagne region for their expertise and high standards. The Grand Cru VP is a fine example of this, with its seven years of aging on slats, the absence of malolactic fermentation, and grapes sourced from Grand Cru terroirs. It is a champagne that takes its time and gradually reveals all its richness and complexity. Already very enjoyable to drink today, it also has excellent aging potential. To fully appreciate it, serve it at around 10 °C in fine glasses immediately after opening, without decanting.

The Nose

The nose blends the complexity of notes of dried fruit, honey, and toasted bread with the freshness of candied citrus. As it breathes in the glass, the bouquet unfolds with all its depth and elegance.

Palate

The wine’s full-bodied texture harmoniously complements the finesse of the bubbles, which provide just the right amount of structure to balance the depth of the Pinot Noir and the freshness of the Chardonnay. Aromas of ripe fruit mingle with notes of autolysis and toasted hazelnuts, while the acidity, with hints of fresh lemon, lends a refreshing tension to the whole. The finish lingers pleasantly on flavors of citrus and dried fruit.

Champagne Grand Cru: Everything You Need to Know About This Appellation

In Champagne, the “Grand Cru” designation is reserved for the 17 villages historically classified at the highest level of the cru hierarchy. Located primarily on the Montagne de Reims, the Côte des Blancs, and the Marne Valley, these terroirs are renowned for the quality of their grapes and their potential.

Egly-Ouriet’s Grand Cru VP Champagne is a fine example of this. Sourced from the villages ofAmbonnay, Bouzy, and Verzenay, it perfectly reflects the character of these great terroirs. Its blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, combined with seven years of aging on the lees, results in a Champagne that is structured, elegant, and deep. This cuvée emphasizes finesse and the expression of the terroir rather than power.