Click the link to read about this month’s club!

R.H. COUTIER A AMBONNAY GRAND CRU BLANC DE BLANCS FRANCE

(Carefully curated notes below are taken directly from the Producer’s website)

Varietal Composition

Chardonnay

Location

France/Champagne/Montagne de Reims

Quote from the Producer: 

The Coutier house style is accentuated by vinification and cellar techniques that seek to marry the traditional richness of Ambonnay fruit with the racy and pure style that the family cherishes.

Process & Aging 

Farming: Low/No Sulfur Vinification

Vinification: Unfined & Unfiltered

Soil type: Chalky Limestone, Clay

The Coutiers practice “lutte raisonnée”, a method of viticulture which encourages biodiversity and soil health. Coutier plows, uses no herbicides and grows grass between rows.

A Few More Details…

This Champagne shows how well chardonnay grows on this side of the Montagne de Reims. It combines the structure of Ambonnay and the energy of Chardonnay. Packed with ripe stony fruit, refreshing and balanced on the palate with a lovely length.

Tasting Notes from the Winemaker

This fine Champagne produced from 100% Chardonnay grapes from the Grand Cru village of Ambonnay is definitely a rarity as this village is known almost exclusively for its Pinot Noir based wines.

The golden color with faint hints of green belie the high-toned nature of this fine wine. The nose shows classic apples and white stone fruit blossoms tinged with citrus. A creamy texture with fresh mineral tones and floral notes round out the racy acidity that follows. 

Food Pairing

• Seafood: This Champagne pairs wonderfully with fresh seafood like oysters, scallops, and lobster. The crisp acidity and minerality complement the brininess and delicate flavors of shellfish beautifully.
• Sushi and Sashimi: The wine’s acidity and freshness balance well with raw fish, enhancing flavors without overpowering them.
• Creamy Dishes: Try it with truffle risotto, butter-poached lobster, or creamy pasta. The Champagne’s acidity cuts through the richness of creamy dishes, creating a balanced pairing.
• White Meats: It pairs well with roasted chicken or pork tenderloin. The wine’s minerality and texture complement the mild flavors of white meats.
• Soft Cheeses: Serve with triple cream cheeses like Brie or Camembert. The creaminess of the cheese enhances the Champagne’s smooth texture and minerality.
• Caviar or Smoked Salmon: For a luxurious touch, pair it with caviar or smoked salmon; both have flavors and textures that blend harmoniously with the wine’s crisp profile.

Keep or drink?

As with all of the champagnes we provide you, they are ready to drink now. However, if you wish to save them, it can be helpful to remember this following tip:

“As a rule, non-vintage Champagnes can be kept unopened for three to four years, and vintage cuvées for five to ten years. Champagnes will change as they age – most will become a deeper, golden color and lose some of their effervescence.”

About the producer!

“Champagne R. H. Coutier is located in the grand cru village of Ambonnay, one of the top wine-producing sectors of the Montagne de Reims. The Coutier family has been in the village of Ambonnay since 1619, with fifth generation vigneron Antoine Coutier currently at the helm. While Ambonnay is generally regarded as Pinot country, the family’s nine hectares of vineyards are planted with one-third Chardonnay and two-thirds Pinot Noir. In fact, in 1948 Antoine Coutier’s grandfather was the first vigneron in Ambonnay to plant Chardonnay in the village, a daring step at the time, which has flourished ever since and is now as highly regarded as the Pinot Noir from this grand cru village.

The family vineyards consist of 40 different plots located exclusively in Ambonnay, with an average vine age of 38 years. In 2019, the Coutiers began organic conversion, which felt like a logical step after years of working with great respect for nature, including never using herbicides and focusing only on organic fertilizers. The vineyards on the Montagne de Reims shift exposure as one arrives in the village of Ambonnay, facing south and southeast, and producing a warmer microclimate for the grapes. There is also a bit more clay, coupled with the strong influence of the chalky limestone, which gives Coutier’s sumptuous wines both richness and freshness.”

Source: https://www.beauneimports.com/producer/r-h-coutier/ ; https://www.beauneimports.com/producer/r-h-coutier/product/brut-blanc-de-blancs-grand-cru/