Champagne AOC Les Blanches Voies Blanc de Blancs Premier Cru 2012 Vilmart & Cie

What type of wine is it

Les Blanches Voies by Vilmart & Cie is an Extra Brut Champagne produced in Rilly-la-Montagne. It’s made from 100% Chardonnay grapes grown in prestigious Premier Cru vineyards. The winemaking strictly follows the Champenoise Method, bestowing the glass with a deep, fresh profile marked by a distinct minerality, perfect for those seeking utmost structural precision.

Where does it come from

The connection to the land is central to this label, which comes from plots in Rilly-la-Montagne, at the foot of the Montagne de Reims. This area is renowned for producing high-quality sparkling wines and famous for its Premier Cru vineyards that deliver vibrant and linear expressions. The Vilmart & Cie family cultivates these lands to highlight the terroir and the character of their sixty-year-old vines.

How is it made

The Chardonnay is vinified with a bottle refermentation, traditional to the Champenoise Method. Before aging, the base wine rests for ten months in oak barrels to enrich its texture and structure. This is followed by a long maturation on the lees for eighty-four months, which brings extraordinary depth and complexity to the palate.

Tasting notes

In the glass, it shows a bright straw yellow with greenish reflections and is crossed by a fine and persistent perlage. The nose opens with clear aromas of lemon, orange blossom, and blood orange, followed by hints of candied fruit. Aromas of pear emerge, merging with elegant notes of vanilla and toasted hazelnuts. On the palate, it is savory, layered, and boasts a complex flavor profile with a very long finish.

Food pairings

The lively acidity and structured savoriness make this sparkling wine perfect to accompany refined seafood dishes and minimalistic preparations. It shines paired with iodine-rich flavors, creating a harmonious match with oysters and caviar. It is great with raw seafood, steamed shellfish, or a fish tartare where freshness balances textures and enhances the natural taste.

When to serve it

It’s the ideal choice when you want to offer a sophisticated tasting right from the start of the meal. Its evolved character deserves proper attention to appreciate the nuances developed during long aging. It’s perfect for elegant dinners focused on seafood menus or to make a formal toast truly special, where a sparkling wine with energy, finesse, and impeccable progression is required.