Champagne AOC Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Premier Cru Les Nogers 2018 Dhondt-Grellet

What type of wine is it

The Champagne Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Premier Cru Les Nogers by Dhondt-Grellet is an elegant and structured wine, made exclusively from Chardonnay grapes sourced from the renowned Côte des Blancs area. This label comes from vines about forty years old, lending a well-defined, fresh, and deep style to the sip. The vinification combines maturation in stainless steel and oak barrels, followed by the creation of a blend with reserve wines. The secondary fermentation occurs according to the Champenoise Method, with a five-year period on the lees that ensures a creamy texture and sharp aromatic complexity.

Where does it come from

This wine originates from the Côte des Blancs, an area renowned for expressing Chardonnay through a distinctively mineral and linear character. The grapes are grown within the historic Premier Cru plots called Les Nogers, carefully selected to guarantee expressive consistency vintage after vintage. The typical chalky component of the local soils is transferred into the glass, offering a sense of depth and pronounced freshness well-integrated into the structure, defining a distinctly territorial profile without ever weighing down the tasting experience.

How is it made

The production process begins with a manual harvest, followed by an initial fermentation conducted half in stainless steel vessels and the other half in oak barrels. This careful balance between containers allows for both volume and aromatic clarity in the wine. The next step is the formation of a blend with reserve wines, essential to stabilize the sparkling base. The secondary fermentation in the bottle follows the strict rules of the Champenoise Method, which promotes total integration of its components and preserves the identity of the grape variety.

Tasting notes

In the glass, the wine reveals a straw yellow color, enriched by a fine and persistent perlage, testifying to its long evolution in bottle. The aromatic profile is clean and well-defined, emerging with notes of yellow peach, accents of wax, and a distinct chalky hint. The taste is full-bodied and deep, with a marked freshness and a steady palatal progression. The sip closes with a long mineral finish that maintains a gustatory continuity, blending tension with roundness and leaving the mouth perfectly dry.

What it pairs with

This label finds its natural culinary expression alongside dishes based on shellfish, fish and risottos, supported by a solid structure that prepares the palate for the next bite. With shellfish, it enhances the natural sweetness of the flesh, while with richer-cooked fish, it maintains great flavor definition. An excellent pairing is with gratinated coquilles Saint-Jacques, where the marine savoriness and the texture of the dish find the perfect balance in the wine’s dry and deep profile.

When to serve it

It is recommended when seeking a technically styled Champagne Extra Brut, able to energetically accompany a whole meal from aperitif onwards. The combination of mixed fermentation, expertly crafted blending, and prolonged aging makes it ideal for occasions requiring complexity and stylistic rigor. It can be enjoyed immediately for its innate energy and also has good aging potential. It is perfect for enhancing fish-based menus, ensuring a long-lasting tasting experience.