Domaine La Borderie Champagne
Simon and his sister Marie are the latest custodians of their family’s 11.5 hectares of vineyards which are located in seven villages around the commune of Bar-sur-Seine in the Côte des Bar. The southernmost area of Champagne.
Simon and Marie Normond
Up until 2013, all of the grapes grown by the Normond family were sold to the cooperatives and négociants of the region. Initially just 6,000 bottles were made which soon sold out when they were released for sale in 2015. In 2019 production had already increased to 15,000 bottles and a bright future certainly lies ahead.
Simon spent two years of his wine making apprenticeship in Burgundy working for the renowned producer Bouchard Père et Fils. Here he learnt the importance of each individual plot and the way to integrate oak without overpowering the flavours of the wines.
The Domaine is farmed with a total respect for nature and is intent on preserving and encouraging biodiversity. Domaine La Borderie holds both “High Environmental Value” certification and “Sustainable Viticulture in Champagne” certification.
The family’s 11.5 hectares of vines in seven villages around Bar-sur-Seine in Côtes des Bar are still mainly growing grapes for the big players but step-by-step, the duo are increasing their own production. ‘In 2013 we made 6.000 bottles and in 2019 already 15.000 bottles.’
But why call it ‘La Borderie’ as typically for champagne it usually carries its maker’s name? ‘Well, the name Champagne Normand wouldn’t really work…’ Simon reasons. An adopted name also gave them the chance to communicate more about their project. ‘Historically la borderie was used to refer to a small farm and this in essence is what we are. An estate that does not purchase grapes.’ The name also accurately reflects the Burgundian influences witnessed at the domaine.
The identity of each plot and their respective cuvées are carefully isolated. Only 1.5 hectares are now nurtured to grow grapes for the domaine’s own needs. Highly sustainable and approaching organic ways, great interest is also directed in preserving both biodiversity and landscape at La Borderie.
Technically skilled and meticulous, Simon is clearly driven towards perfecting each aspect of their operation. With the different cuvées possessing only 5-15% of oak-fermented wines. The house style is squeaky-clean, beautifully precise and deliciously fruit-driven. The stainless steel fermented wines go through the malolactic fermentation whereas in barrels it is avoided. Oxidative style is not to his liking whereas tension and fruitiness very much are.
Original article by Essi Avellan: essiavellan.com
DOMAINE LA BORDERIE RANGE
Trois Contrées
This is a brut non-vintage champagne made with Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc grown in three vineyards in three different villages. Lovely pale gold colour, amber reflections. Elegant and floral nose, spicy and dried fruit notes. Tart, ample, fruity and tense on the palate.
• 70% pinot Noir • 23% Chardonay • 7% Pinot Blanc
La Confluente - 2014
A vintage Blanc de Blancs from two vineyards, Chardonnay makes up 80% of the blend with the remaining 20% being Pinot Blanc from the Domaine’s oldest vines planted in 1954.
Aged for 45 months in the cellar. Lemon yellow colour with pale greenish yellow reflections. Delicate nose, notes of lime, white peach, acacia flowers, fresh grapes, limestone. Clean and fresh on the palate with a pulpy and crunchy fruitiness, underlined by a tight lemony acidity.
• 80% Chardonay • 20% Pinot Blanc
Val Moré - 2015
A vintage Blanc de Noir extra brut using just pinot noir from a single vineyard called Val Moré in Bar sur Seine. 5% vinified on oak with the malolactic fermentation blocked to balance the remaining wine that is allowed to undergo malolactic fermentation in stainless steel tanks. After bottling they are aged for fifty five months prior to release.
• 100% pinot Noir
Douce Folie Rosé
Grapes grown in the “Douce Folie” vineyard with its 50-year-old Pinot Noir vines are used for this rosé made using the maceration (saignée) method to obtain a deep intense colour.
Clear deep colour. Floral notes of violet, fresh berries: raspberry, blackcurrant, morello cherry, mineral notes, expressive nose, fine and delicate. Subtle opening on the palate, creamy effervescence, fleshy, acidic and fruity.
• 100% Pinot Noir
De Quoi Te Mêles-tu?
The Pinot Noir vines used for this cuvée were planted in 1980. Apparently the vigneron was ridiculed by his neighbours for choosing to plant Pinot Noir vines on clay soil with a northern exposure. “De Quoi Te Mêles-tu?” roughly translates as “mind your own business”!
Aged for 30 months in the cellar. Some tropical fruit aromas alongside ripe pear, cherry and apple. Notes of almond, liquorice, pink grapefruit, blackcurrant and wild strawberry with heady notes of honeysuckle, pepper and sweet spices. Clean and fresh on the palate, balanced and very concentrated.
• 100% Pinot Noir
For more information visit: CHAMPAGNE DOMAINE LA BORDERIE