NV Christophe Mignon Brut Nature, Champagne France

Product information

Meunier specialist Christophe Mignon comes from a long line of farmers in the hamlet of Le-Mesnil-le-Huttier, 13 miles west of Epernay. His 6.3 hectares of vines were planted by his great-grandparents and are spread among thirty parcels between the villages of Le Breuil and Festigny in the Vallée de la Marne. This area south of the Marne River and along the Flagot tributary is known for its high percentage of Pinot Meunier, which is particularly well suited to the deep clay and chalky Tuffeaux soils that dominate the terrain.

Mignon’s unique approach to viticulture, referred to by us as the Mignon Method, combines natural practices including biodynamics, phytotherapy, homeopathy and geobiology. He likens nature to a rubik’s cube, always changing and offering up new challenges. He is constantly in search of the most subtle challenges and limiting factors in his work, and revels in finding inventive solutions. With the mind of an engineer and the heart and soul of a fifth generation farmer, Mignon’s ingenuity has led to creations such as special footing blades for his tractor to achieve the ideal width and depth when working soils in the vine rows, as well as a homeopathy machine that dilutes treatments of copper blended with valerian root and garlic to help regulate whatever Mother Nature throws his way.

The NV Brut Nature Blanc de Noirs Pur Meunier is a very pretty wine, but it also needs at least several hours of aeration to be at its most expressive. Time brings out striking aromatic presence and tons of Meunier character. Dried orchard fruit, spice, wild flowers and almonds build in a beautifully focused, vibrant NV Champagne that captures the essence of Christophe Mignon’s deeply personal style. The current release is a blend of equal parts 2015 and 2014. No dosage. Disgorged: July 25, 2019.