{"id":35062,"date":"2022-11-08T18:07:57","date_gmt":"2022-11-08T17:07:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/francevisiting.com\/?p=35062"},"modified":"2023-02-11T14:05:33","modified_gmt":"2023-02-11T13:05:33","slug":"drappier","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/francevisiting.com\/index.php\/2022\/11\/08\/drappier\/","title":{"rendered":"Enter the Maison Drappier in the C\u00f4te des Bar, as the favorite champagne from the G\u00e9n\u00e9ral de Gaulle!"},"content":{"rendered":"
Following our previous article about champagnes from the C\u00f4te des Bar appellation (read our article here)<\/a>, we invite you this time to immerse in the beautiful galaxy proposed by the Champagne Drappier, member of the Vignobles & Signatures<\/a> network.<\/strong> By AP<\/em><\/div>\n
\n
\n
\n
\"\"
..those wide cellars<\/strong> mature all types of champagnes<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
More than a label, Drappier<\/strong> is also a whole spirit<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Another family story within the Champagne Drappier<\/strong><\/a> whose longtime tradition<\/strong> has been maintained for two hundred years, the same tribe<\/strong>. For instance, they always had the common vocation<\/strong> to produce their own branded Champagne<\/strong> wines (photo credits: Drappier). <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

With the wish to highlight the tiniest details that make the difference, the team always focused on technical<\/strong> tools, the most able to reveal the natural assets of their wines<\/strong>, with supposedly less artifice. As we stay in the C\u00f4te des Bar<\/strong>, the Pinot Noir<\/strong> is still king and is naturally a historic grape<\/strong> variety employed by the Maison Drappier<\/strong><\/a>. Moreover, their property was formerly occupied by the Cistercian<\/strong> monks of Clairvaux<\/strong>, that’s why you may find there some intact 12th century vaulted cellars<\/strong>, with the possible mission to preserve and mature these Champagnes<\/strong>.  <\/div>\n
ngg_shortcode_0_placeholder<\/div>\n
\n
\"\"
Such a panoramic<\/strong> view over the C\u00f4te des Bar<\/strong> valley..<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

For your information, the Drappier<\/strong> family adventure started with the birth of R\u00e9my Drappier<\/strong> in 1604 who, like Nicolas Ruinart<\/strong>, was a cloth merchant in Reims<\/strong>.  However, it was not until 1808 that his ancestor Fran\u00e7ois Drappier<\/strong> moved to Urville<\/strong> and began to operate a vineyard<\/strong> which today covers an honorable surface of 55 ha (and 40 ha in associated contracts), of course spread through the C\u00f4te des Bar<\/strong> appellation but also the Montagne de Reims<\/strong> and the C\u00f4te des Blancs<\/strong>.  <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Therefore, the village of Urville<\/strong> became the headquarters of this sparkling<\/strong> family, founded by the Gallo-Romans<\/strong> who brought the vine<\/strong> culture to this region, 2000 years ago and probably, even if there is no proof, the Arbane<\/strong> species. This is even where they eventually started to plant Pinot Noir<\/strong> in the early 1930s. So that this grape<\/strong> variety represents nowadays no less than 70% of the family vineyard<\/strong> and nearly three quarters of the grape<\/strong> varieties of their direct surrounding terroir<\/strong><\/em>. Although, just after the historic frost<\/strong> of 1957, when nearly the total vineyard<\/strong> collapsed, a portion of Pinot Meunier<\/strong> was introduced, more resistant to springtime frosts<\/strong>.<\/div>\n
ngg_shortcode_1_placeholder<\/div>\n
\n
\"\"
..mind the first mile<\/strong> before entering the domain<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Enjoy the Drappier<\/strong> juices, even while being high..<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Then, a first Carte d’Or<\/strong> cuv\u00e9e<\/em> was launched in 1952, as a real evocation of quince jelly, this full Pinot Noir<\/strong> Champagne<\/strong> shares the same contents with the Champagne Ros\u00e9<\/strong> before seducing the General de Gaulle<\/strong>. By the way, in homage to the illustrious French<\/strong> character, Maison Drappier<\/strong> dedicated one of its great vintages to him. In 1988, deep cellars<\/strong> dug in the chalk of Reims<\/strong> under Napoleon III<\/strong> joined the family property to house the greatest cuv\u00e9es<\/em><\/strong>. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Thanks to particularly well exposed and powerfully limestone plots, also known as the Kimmeridgian<\/strong> soils that are also found in Burgundy<\/strong>, Drappier<\/strong> may have the chance to produce very expressive wines<\/strong>. Nourished with natural composts, these home grapes<\/strong> are really taken care, along extremely rare grape varieties, such as Arbane<\/strong> and Petit Meslier<\/strong>. <\/div>\n
ngg_shortcode_2_placeholder<\/div>\n
\n
\"\"
This time you have sufficient champagne<\/strong> sources with this Carte d’Or<\/strong><\/em> front row..<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Therefore, after a subtle game of clever dosages<\/em> between appropriate grape<\/strong> varieties, exclusively extracted from the first presses, those unfiltered wines<\/strong> may build these Drappier<\/strong> nectars<\/em>. Adding to this, just a little sulfur is used in homeopathic<\/strong> doses, as one of the lowest parts in the entire Champagne<\/strong> zone, offering wines<\/strong> with more natural colors and more aromas<\/strong>. In addition to respect anyone’s health, this philosophy leads to generate a fine and subtle effervescence<\/strong><\/em>. Thereafter, once the grapes have been vinified<\/em>, the Maison<\/strong> Drappier<\/strong> insists to employ some of them to complete the several expedition<\/strong> liqueurs<\/strong>. These slowly remain in oak barrels<\/strong> for more than 15 years, being added to the final juice at the time of disgorging<\/strong>, in order to accentuate the length in the mouth and to gain more purity, since the high concentration of this liquor<\/strong> means that very little of it can be used.  <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Lately, Michel Drappier<\/strong> imagined an organic<\/strong> cuv\u00e9e<\/em> (Ecocert<\/strong><\/a> certified) as a tribute to Saint Bernard de Clairvaux<\/strong>. Originally baptized Clare Valli<\/strong><\/em>as the name given by Saint Bernard<\/strong> to the Abbey<\/strong>, he founded in 1115. By the way, this abbot introduced the Pinot Noir<\/strong> variety to the region, where he even decided to vinify<\/em><\/strong> and age a bunch of wines<\/strong> matured in the cellars of this Abbey <\/strong>(from 1152), property of Drappier<\/strong> now.<\/div>\n
 <\/div>\n
\n
\"\"
..probably straight from this formidable egg barrel<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
A charming Clarevallis<\/em><\/strong> edition to enjoy at any time..<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In fact, this Clarevallis<\/strong> cuv\u00e9e<\/em> is a blend of Pinot Noir<\/strong> (75%), completed with a touch of Chardonnay<\/strong>, Pinot Meunier<\/strong> and especially Pinot Blanc<\/strong> (also called Blanc Vrai<\/strong><\/em>). This grape<\/strong> variety, which had almost disappeared in the whole Champagne<\/strong> zone, brings an exuberant fruity touch.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Moreover, the main part of this Clarevallis<\/strong><\/em> jewel is matured in stainless steel vats, in order to preserve the crunchiness of the fruit, but some of the wines<\/strong> are also vinified<\/em> in wooden barrels<\/strong> made from oak, extracted from the nearby Orient<\/strong> Forest<\/strong> (read our article<\/strong> here). Then, after a slow fermentation, allowing very fine bubbles to be obtained, this Clarevallis Drappier<\/strong> cuv\u00e9e<\/em> would disgorged and dosed as a real Extra Brut<\/strong> Champagne<\/strong>, starring only 4g of sugar per liter, thanks to a liqueur<\/strong><\/em> made from organic cane sugar<\/strong>.<\/div>\n
 <\/div>\n
\"\"As far as we know, this Champagne<\/strong> enjoys a white gold dress, updated by a very fine and persistent foam<\/strong>, whose elderberry<\/strong>, violet<\/strong>, along floral<\/strong> and spring<\/strong> notes are perceptible from your nose. Embellished with an omnipresent minerality<\/strong>, softened by the maturity of a brilliant Pinot Noir<\/strong>.<\/div>\n
 <\/div>\n
On top of that, you may appreciate its fresh and floral palate delicately displaying from this Champagne<\/strong>, a touch of citrus<\/strong>, before a sustainable and bitter finish<\/strong>. <\/div>\n
 <\/div>\n
 <\/div>\n<\/div>\n
ngg_shortcode_3_placeholder<\/div>\n
\n
\n
\"\"
..full of quality grapes from Pinot Noir<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
This elegant flacon<\/strong><\/em> (photos credits: Sensations de Vins<\/a>)..<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In case you would like to get beautiful sensations from a fruity ros\u00e9<\/strong><\/em> champagne<\/strong>, we invite you to discover the Brut Nature Ros\u00e9 Les Riceys <\/em><\/strong>reference. This fruity champagne<\/strong> offer beautiful sparkling sensations for your finest dinners<\/strong>, notably due to the very specific maceration<\/strong> operated in whole grapes<\/strong>, giving to the Pinot Noir<\/strong> juice a deep color<\/strong> and an aromatic<\/strong> concentration.<\/p>\n

For your information, this delicious cuv\u00e9e<\/strong><\/em> is solely composed of Pinot Noir<\/strong> harvested in Les Riceys<\/strong><\/em> village, still located in the Aube<\/strong> department and particularly renowned for its ros\u00e9<\/strong><\/em> grape terroir<\/strong><\/em>, since ages. <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"
What a lovely view overlooking this Champagne<\/strong> terroir!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Therefore, the Drappier<\/strong> domain wished to propose a brand new expression of this so-called terroir<\/strong><\/em> within this Brut Nature Ros\u00e9<\/strong>, while combining a certain “bleeding”<\/strong><\/em> tradition and vinification<\/strong> without any sugar dosage<\/strong><\/em>.<\/p>\n

Thus, for this cuv\u00e9e<\/strong><\/em>, the maceration of the whole grapes<\/strong> needed 48 hours before the pressing<\/strong> process, where only the first press wines<\/strong> are selected and blended, even including a quarter from a perpetual ros\u00e9 <\/strong><\/em>reserve juice<\/strong>. Then, the wine<\/strong> aging<\/strong> is half carried out in stainless steel vats<\/strong> and half in oak<\/strong> barrels<\/strong>, for more aromatic<\/strong> complexity and communion.<\/p>\n

For instance, you would undoubtedly be seduced by the ample and intense aromas<\/strong> of candied morello cherry<\/strong> and violet syrup<\/strong>, with a delicious finish<\/strong> marked by white grapefruit<\/strong> flesh and even lavender <\/strong>notes. In fact, this Brut Nature Ros\u00e9 \u2013 Les Riceys<\/em><\/strong> would kindly accommodate with any type of salad<\/strong>, fine cheeses<\/strong> or fruit<\/strong> cakes.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\n
\"\"
..preparing a new harvest<\/strong> and upcoming juices<\/strong>!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Those Champagne vineyards<\/strong> sometimes hibernate..<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Following our previous mention<\/strong> from the Champagne Grande Sendr\u00e9e 2010<\/strong> in our millesimes<\/em><\/strong> selection (read our article<\/strong> here)<\/a>, we are glad here to introduce you the 2012<\/strong> edition. Still fully made from a wedding of grapes<\/strong> from Pinot Noir<\/strong> and Chardonnay<\/strong>, issued from a set of plots<\/strong>, based on limestone<\/strong> soils, called crayots<\/strong><\/em>, dating from the Kimmeridgian Jurassic<\/strong> era. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

The bottles<\/strong> are still presented in a Louis XV<\/strong>-shaped bottle, revealing the expression of various grape varieties<\/strong> and terroirs<\/strong><\/em> from vines<\/strong>, either cultivated in organic<\/strong> and sustainable<\/strong> viticulture<\/strong> methods. Therefore, the Grande Sendr\u00e9e 2012 <\/strong>juice, proposed by Maison Drappier<\/strong>, still comes from the first press<\/strong> and extracts<\/strong> vinified by gravity. A part of those wines<\/strong> (35%) are aged in barrels<\/strong>, this Extra Brut<\/strong> champagne is low in dosage (4.5 g\/litre).<\/div>\n
 <\/div>\n
\"\"Nonetheless, based on a malolactic fermentation<\/strong>, this champagne<\/strong> was aged during an honorable period of 9 years. Adding to this, its added dosage liqueur<\/em><\/strong> was longer aged in wood during 15 years, which is quite rare for Champagne<\/strong>. <\/div>\n
 <\/div>\n
The result of this long term development leads to an attractive fragrance<\/strong>, full of notes of cherries<\/strong>, combined with aromas of white flowers<\/strong> and vanilla<\/strong>.<\/div>\n
 <\/div>\n
Thereafter, its palate<\/strong> develops a beautiful complexity that even extends to a bucket of mineral<\/strong> and spicy<\/strong> accents. Thus, we recommend you to enjoy this elixir<\/strong><\/em> as an aperitif<\/strong><\/em>, but also with seafood<\/strong> or cheese<\/strong>, with an ideal tasting temperature of 8\u00b0C<\/strong>.<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

More information about this Maison Drappier<\/strong><\/a>, on their official website<\/strong><\/a>.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n
\n
 <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Following our previous article about champagnes from the C\u00f4te des Bar appellation (read our article…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":35070,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[822,24],"tags":[187,1307,918,1309,1019,604,1308,409],"class_list":["post-35062","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-far-east-2","category-gastronomy","tag-champagne","tag-champagne-drappier","tag-cote-des-bar","tag-general-de-gaulle","tag-millesime","tag-organic","tag-vignobles-signatures","tag-wine"],"post_mailing_queue_ids":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/francevisiting.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35062","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/francevisiting.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/francevisiting.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/francevisiting.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/francevisiting.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=35062"}],"version-history":[{"count":18,"href":"https:\/\/francevisiting.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35062\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":37144,"href":"https:\/\/francevisiting.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35062\/revisions\/37144"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/francevisiting.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/35070"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/francevisiting.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=35062"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/francevisiting.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=35062"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/francevisiting.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=35062"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}