ABOUT THE WINE
âUneâ (formerly âCĂŽteâ) is a limited-production, terroir-focused cuvĂ©e crafted from a single parcel and a single vintageâhere, the excellent and structured 2015 vintage. It typically features 100% Chardonnay from the chalk-rich terroir of Ludes in the Montagne de Reims or another precisely chosen lieu-dit, reflecting RaphaĂ«l BĂ©rĂȘcheâs desire to express singular identities within Champagneâs complex mosaic of soils and exposures.
Vinified in oak barrels with native yeasts, the wine undergoes no malolactic fermentation, preserving crystalline acidity and structural tension. It is aged under natural cork during secondary fermentation, a hallmark of the domaine's style, which encourages gentle oxidation and builds complexity. Dosage is minimal (typically 2â3g/L), and the wine is disgorged after extended lees aging, which adds depth and nuance.
Pair with butter-poached lobster, aged GruyĂšre, or creamy mushroom risotto. Though already expressive, this Champagne will evolve beautifully over the next decade or more.
ABOUT THE PRODUCER
BĂ©rĂȘche et Fils is one of Champagneâs most acclaimed grower estates, led by brothers RaphaĂ«l and Vincent BĂ©rĂȘche. Based in Ludes, on the Montagne de Reims, the domaine has become a reference point for terroir-expressive, meticulously crafted Champagnes. Their workâboth in the vineyard and the cellarâfuses tradition with innovation: organic farming, hand-harvesting, barrel vinification, bottling under cork, and minimal intervention at every step.
With a deep respect for history and a relentless pursuit of detail, BĂ©rĂȘche produces Champagnes that are intellectual and soulful, always rooted in place. CuvĂ©es like âUneâ are the purest articulation of their philosophy: a wine of a single year, from a single site, revealing the complexity and individuality that Champagne can offer when handled with vision and restraint.
