2018-C Champ Divin Cremant Zero, Cremant du Jura, France (750ml)   

About the Icons
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Champ Divin is owned and run by husband and wife team Fabrice and Valerie Closset-Gaziaux, who both have educational backgrounds in agronomy and earth sciences. The duo spent extensive time developing sustainable farming practices in Africa, and then a subsequent eight years helping growers in the Loire develop organic and naturally balanced vineyards. After, as Valerie puts it, one too many gentleman farmers telling her she didn't know her business, she and Fabrice decided to find their own piece of land.

In 2008 they procured 5 hectares of vineyards in South-Revermont, in the “premier plateau” of Jura, land on which they grow Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Savagnin, and where they employ biodynamic farming practices. Biodynamics requires both patience and observance to better understand their locale and to achieve a better balance in the vineyard.

The property is one of those vineyard settings where you can feel the energy while walking the vines. They have bee-hives and native grasses and trees surrounding the vines. The climate is quite cool and the soils are much like nearby Burgundy. They have some spots with higher concentrations of marl, and this is where they plant the Savagnin variety that thrives in the Jura.

Champ Divin Crémant Zero is a blend of 80% Chardonnay and 20% Savagnin. The grapes were harvested ripe, with the idea that the inherent fruit will negate the need for dosage. It was partially fermented in barrel but then bottled early, in the January following the harvest, while the weather was still enough cold to allow for a long, slow secondary fermentation in bottle. The cuvée spent 12 months on the lees before disgorgement, and as the name suggests, had zero dosage.

Beautiful golden hue. Charming, slightly toasty aromatics. Lush flavors of yellow plum, Meyer lemon and bruised apple. Fine bead, beautiful texture and laser-focused acid. Complex and refreshing at the same time. A perfect aperitif.