Brasserie Cantillon - Grand Cru Bruocsella 5%
Founded in Brussels in 1900, the Cantillon brewery is the historical benchmark for spontaneous fermentation. Indigenous yeasts and bacteria from the Senne Valley, open cooling, long aging in old casks, and bottling without filtration or pasteurization define a style of rare purity. Grand Cru Bruocsella occupies a unique place in this tradition, offering a still, unsparkling expression of lambic, as close as possible to its original identity.
Grand Cru Bruocsella is a still lambic from a single vintage, aged for approximately three years in oak casks. The brew combines malted barley and unmalted wheat, moderately hopped, and then relies on wild yeasts collected from the Brussels air. After slow maturation, the grain wine is bottled without secondary fermentation. The absence of noble gas highlights the texture, salinity, and complexity that only time can refine.
The nose opens with lemon zest, yellow apple, and ripe pear, joined by raw almond, beeswax, and a hint of damp stone. Aeration reveals notes of dry hay, dried flowers, and light honey. On the palate, the attack is direct and flavorful. The wine unfolds with a fine acidity from spontaneous fermentation, a core of citrus and white fruit, followed by a subtle, elegant oxidative veil that adds depth and rhythm. The finish is long, dry, and crystalline, marked by saline minerality, hints of bark bitterness, and a touch of infused herbs.
At the table, Grand Cru Bruocsella pairs well with flat oysters, sole meunière, sea bream ceviche with citrus, or pike-perch with beurre blanc sauce. It also finds a perfect match with mature goat cheese, 24-month aged Comté, roast poultry with lemon, or asparagus risotto. Serve chilled but not ice-cold to allow its texture to shine through.
