Champagne Larmandier Bernier - Terre de Vertus 2014
The Larmandier-Bernier estate is located in Vertus, on the terroirs of the Côte des Blancs in Champagne. The house was founded by Philippe Larmandier and Elisabeth Bernier in 1971, has been run by Pierre and Sophie Larmandier since 1988, and their son Arthur joined in 2017. Since 1999, biodynamic viticulture is used across the entire estate and indigenous yeasts are used for the fermentations. The estate seeks to make wines which express their terroir. The vineyard of 18 hectares, with 35-years-old vines on average, are certified organic and the plot of Vertus is classified Premier Cru and Cramant, Chouilly and Avize are all classified Grand Cru. The grape variety grown is mainly Chardonnay with some Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris. They do not purchase outside grapes as they consider that winemaking couldn't be the same without complete confidence in the grapes.
The grapes, picked by hand, are put into the pneumatic press. They are pressed gently, in order to extract the purest of the juice. Each cru is vinified separately, variety by variety, plot by plot. The entire crop is put in oak casks and vats, to allow the aromas to express themselves. In order to respect the purity of the Côte des Blancs terroirs, the Stockinger family cooperage was chosen for its delicate toasting which respects wines. The alcoholic fermentation is then set off naturally by the indigenous yeasts present on the bloom of the grapes. The wines are matured on the lees for about a year, with no racking or filtering being carried out.
Terre de Vertus is a Premier Cru Non Dosé, made from a parcel of Chardonnay named « Les Barillers », situated mid-slope.
Grape variety: 100% Chardonnay