The Houses perfect their blends by combining wines from different years, different grapes and different vintages. The skill here is to create a whole that is greater the sum of its individual parts. 1 + 1 = 3, in a manner of speaking.
The sap oozing or “bleeding” from the vines is a sign of winter’s end.
The French terms “Blanc de Blancs” (white from whites) and "Blanc de Noirs" (white from blacks) indicate the cultivars that make up the blend. A Blanc de Blancs is exclusively blended from the principal white grape, the Chardonnay. A Blanc de Noirs is exclusively blended from the two principal black grapes, the Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier.
Alain Thiénot comes from one of Reims’ oldest families. In 1985 following 17 years experience as a wine broker he embarked on the challenge of creating his own Champagne House. His children Stanislas and Garance are now gradually taking over the reins, building on the expert teachings of their father.
The Champagne Houses
