A History Written in Chalk

Chalk strokes on slate. Passing knowledge from teacher to pupil for centuries. Yet there is a place where a thick layer of chalk remains intact. One of the oldest stories in Champagne.
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1522 or Half a Millennium

Philipponnat is a family with roots as deep as the vines they cultivate. Since the year 1522, a name synonymous with the Champagne region, some of their first wines were even served at the table of King Louis XIV’s. Family-run, they pride themselves on upholding the virtues of individuality, excellence, generosity and humility. Charles Philipponnat, since taking over in 1999, has been the proud bearer of his family’s heritage in Ay, reviving the dream and bringing a new era of winemaking to life.

Clos des Goisses

Acquired in 1935, Clos des Goisses is the first single-vineyard and vintage Champagne of the region. It is a 5.5-hectare plot enclosed by retaining walls with a 45° slope, its name meaning ‘steep slope’ in the old regional dialect. It has the particular advantage of full southern exposure, providing perfect ripening conditions, on pure chalk with an extraordinary freshness, minerality and ageing potential. This prime position led Philipponnat to miss only 12 vintages in 73 years! Such precious terroir requires the work of a true artisan to extract the supreme vinous delights offered up by these vines.

Distinctive know-how

While Philipponnat’s values are expressed by protecting their soils as naturally as possible, in the wine cellar, the family has developed a technique that has become a trademark: the principle of a solera (or perpetual reserve) for blending reserve wines. Perfectly balancing out complexity and freshness. This entails storing the reserve wines in oak barrels and reintroducing them into the blend of non-vintage wines. In addition to keeping their unique style from one vintage to the next, they reveal all blending information on the back label, in the spirit of transparency.

If Champagne is a matter of agriculture, rather than viticulture, these wines are also a matter of culture: Philipponnat’s mastery of finesse as they transform elements of their terroir into beauty. While remaining eager to learn, like a schoolchild with a chalkboard – yet with one of the finest techniques known to the chalk of Champagne, one of Champagne’s best-kept secrets.

(A small quantity of Philipponnat’s Clos des Goisses 2009 and Cuvee 1522 2009 has been sourced for you by Premier Cru Wines.)