Adrien Renoir “Le Terroir” Extra Brut NV

Four generations of the Renoir family have been involved in wine production in Champagne. Adrien Renoir only just recently took control of the domaine after having the reins passed down to him in 2014 by his father, Vincent Renoir. The two, like many father & son winemakers, have and continue to have quite different views, yet worked together for Adrien’s first two vintages before Adrien took full controll in 2016. Although Vincent didn’t agree with Adrien’s push for cleaner farming, noting that it wasn’t achievable so far north in Champagne, he allowed him to make the conversion as long as it was done slowly and cautiously.

The wines now bear the name of the fourth generation on the label, having previously been labeled as Vincent Renoir. At only 29 years old Adrien is already proving to be a force to reckon with in Champagne. He has pretty swiftly adjusted many things at the domaine, including switching to organic farming, adjustments in the cellar primarily increased use of oak for fermentations and aging. He has also diversified the line-up of bottlings to focus more on the unique parcels and terroirs that his family has cultivated for generations.

11 months in barrel | 24 months on the lees in bottle | reserve wine aged in foudre, around 20% of final blend

50% Chardonnay | 50% Pinot Noir