Champagne Bérêche & Fils
Aÿ Blanc 2022

he Côteaux Champenois Aÿ Blanc 2022 by Bérêche & Fils is a still wine made exclusively from Chardonnay, sourced from the prestigious parcels (Lieux-Dits) “Brise Pot” and “La Côte Lingard”, located in the renowned village of Aÿ, classified as Grand Cru in the Vallée de la Marne.

Vinification follows traditional methods, with spontaneous fermentation using indigenous yeasts and aging for approximately 18 months in oak barrels of various capacities. This process enhances the wine’s aromatic depth and complexity, highlighting the unique characteristics of the Aÿ terroir. Bottling took place by gravity in March 2024, using the “à la Chèvre à deux becs” technique, an ancient racking tool with two spouts, allowing bottles to be filled without pumps, thus preserving the wine’s delicacy to the fullest. Production is extremely limited, with only 1,800 bottles.

This Côteaux Champenois is a refined expression of the Aÿ terroir and the excellence of Champenois viticulture, making it a highly sought-after wine among both enthusiasts and collectors of rare, high-quality labels.

Champagne Bérêche & Fils

Bérêche & Fils owns around 7 hectares in the area of Montagne de Reims, since 2004, when Raphael joined his father in the family business. He brought a decisive revolution in the Champagne production and everything changed: systemic treatments and herbicides have been banned from the vineyards and rows are carefully looked after. The cave is well organised, too: a large room is dedicated to spontaneous fermentations and to the use of different oak barrels, in terms of quality and origin, both for vinification and maturation. Interesting are also tirages with cork tops to let Cuvées age under controlled oxydation. He is trying to bring ancient techniques back, but with awareness and sensitivity.