Marc Chauvet

The Chauvet's can trace their winemaking heritage to the 16th century, producing wines from their 32 acre estate in Reims. Winemaker Clotilde Chauvet and her viticulturist brother Nicolas run the estate. The vineyards of Marc Chauvet are based in Rilly la Montagne, a pretty village located in the heart of the Montagne de Reims. Backed by the forest, classified as Premier Cru, it is one of the oldest wine-producing villages Champenois.

More important perhaps is that the stuff tastes delicious. Not too sweet, not at all tart, nicely balanced, very brisk and appetising but with good length. The current blend is apparently based on the excellent 2004 vintage with 30% of older reserve wines with a third each from the three usual constituent varieties Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier.