Chouilly: The Northernmost Village of the Côte des Blancs

Chouilly, the northernmost Grand Cru village of the Côte des Blancs, is home to Champagne Vazart-Coquart. While it might not be the first name associated with the Côte des Blancs, this is likely because Chouilly only received Grand Cru status in 1985, much later than its southern neighbors like Vertus, Avize, and Le Mesnil-sur-Oger. Located east of Épernay along the Marne's southern bank, Chouilly is the first village you encounter when entering the Côte des Blancs.

Out of Chouilly's roughly 1,600 hectares, 522 are vineyards, with 99% planted to Chardonnay. One of its landmarks is the Butte du Saran, a hill topped by the Château du Saran, built in 1801 by Jean-Remy Moët and now part of LVMH. Unlike other Côte des Blancs villages, where vineyards are typically south-facing or on the plain, Chouilly's vines span both the western and southern parts of the commune.

The Vazart family cultivates about 11 hectares in Chouilly, primarily Chardonnay vines averaging 44 years old, with a small portion planted to Pinot Noir. They followed the principles of the ‘Haute Valeur Environnementale’ sustainability certification for years, focusing on biodiversity, plant protection, fertilization, and water management. However, Jean-Pierre Vazart wanted to go further, achieving organic certification in 2020. This transition came at a cost—his long-standing ‘Réserve Perpétuelle,’ established in 1982, may eventually need to be relinquished. More on that later.

The Vazart family has been cultivating vineyards in Chouilly since 1785, with Louis and Jacques Vazart bottling their first wines under their own name in 1950. Since 1995, the Domaine has been led by Jean-Pierre Vazart, a skilled and meticulous winegrower who was already working with a ‘Réserve Perpétuelle,’ or solera system, during his time alongside his father.

For nearly 40 years, the Vazarts have operated their solera by removing 40% annually and replenishing it with the current vintage, creating a blend of multiple decades. However, the transition to organic certification from the 2020 vintage onwards means that Jean-Pierre can no longer include the solera in his organic wines. Despite its dual role as a reserve for his non-vintage wines and the foundation for his top cuvée, he has chosen to either phase it out or reclassify it in favor of meeting organic standards.

Jean-Pierre prefers stainless steel for maturing all his base wines, including those from the solera, as it aligns with the precise and clear style he seeks to express in Chouilly. Unlike in villages like Le Mesnil or Avize, where chalky minerality is often enhanced through oak barrel aging, stainless steel better reflects Chouilly's character, according to his philosophy.

The Portfolio

Jean-Pierre's portfolio centers around three non-vintage Blanc de Blancs, all Grand Crus, each distinguished by a different dosage level. These wines are crafted from the fruit of the estate's 11 hectares and combine roughly two-thirds wine from the current vintage with one-third from the ‘Réserve Perpétuelle.’

• Brut Réserve Grand Cru: The classic non-vintage cuvée, offering a gentle sweetness and a notable brioche character. It balances charm and approachability with depth.
• Extra Brut: With less dosage and an additional year of lees aging, this wine leans toward a more linear profile, emphasizing fresh fruit and terroir over sweetness or autolytic notes.
• Brut Zéro: Aged sur lattes for three extra years and bottled without dosage, this is the most streamlined and precise of the three. Despite its purity and coolness, extended lees aging provides it with a refined elegance and charm.

The portfolio also includes notable cuvées like:

• Millésime: A powerful vintage champagne showcasing exceptional character.
• TC: A single-vineyard wine with its base matured in terracotta eggs, offering a unique texture and expression.
• 82/15: A champagne crafted from the 1982 solera, blending decades of complexity with remarkable depth.

Each wine reflects Jean-Pierre’s dedication to showcasing the character of Chouilly’s Grand Cru terroir through precision and thoughtful winemaking.

A delightful find, Jean-Pierre’s entry-level cuvée is a superb aperitif champagne that beautifully reflects the essence of Chouilly and the Côte des Blancs. His vintage champagnes stand out for their power, minerality, and depth, particularly the ‘Terre Cuite.’ This single-vineyard wine offers a unique balance of silkiness and intensity, showcasing the distinctive minerality of its terroir.

What sets these champagnes apart is their remarkable precision and variety, achieved through organic practices and meticulous craftsmanship—all at an exceptional value. We are thrilled to include this gem in the Lambier Wines collection and to share it with you. From the dedication of the Vazart family to their thoughtfully cultivated vineyards, carefully maintained cellar, and a portfolio that seamlessly combines tradition with innovation, every detail is perfectly aligned.