Champagne Drappier Clarevallis Organic NV

Corvallis is the name Saint Bernard gave to the abbey he founded in 1115 when he brought vines to the Aube region. The wines are vinified and aged in cellars built in 1152 by the monks from the abbey. Today, the cellars are owned by the Drappier Family.

For one of Champagne’s most forward-thinking producers, Drappier has no shortage of historical roots. An eighth-generation family business, the house was founded in 1808 and occupies magnificent twelfth-century cellars built by Cistercian monks. Indeed, members of this monastic order travelled up from Burgundy to the Aube region nearly a millennium ago and planted the early ancestor of Pinot Noir.

In the early twentieth century, however, Pinot Noir had fallen out of favour in the region. Drappier could sense its potential and was the first to replant it in the 1930s, earning ridicule from neighbours until the quality advantages became clear. Other innovations have followed: rosé in a clear bottle was introduced in 1968; extremely low levels of sulphur are used, and there is even a no-added-sulphur cuvée made; the liqueur d’expédition is matured for over fifteen years in oak and demi-johns, and Drappier is the only house to ferment every format, from half bottles to the gigantic 30-litre Melchisédech in the bottle it sells.

Today, Drappier owns fifty-five hectares of vineyard around Urville, with another fifty hectares under contract in the Côte des Bar, Montagne de Reims, and Côte des Blancs. Although Pinot Noir accounts for most wine produced, the style is not heavy. A vivacity and lightness of touch demonstrate great skill since these champagnes have plenty of concentration and substance. And, again, despite the Pinot dominance, the house has a great feel for Blanc de Blancs, be it 100% Chardonnay or the rare blend of all four, mostly obscure, white grapes permitted in Champagne.