From the ancient tradition, the Champagne Œil de Perdrix or " Partridge’s eye", can be traced back to the village of Bouzy, kingdom of Pinot Noir in Champagne, at the time when the winemaking practices were still rudimentary and the must obtained from the pressing of black grapes gave life to “spotted” wines, with an amber - coppery color, similar to the partridge's eye. Champagne Œil de Perdrix are not necessarily Blanc de Noirs nor Rosé Champagne but are obtained from the short maceration of Pinot Noir or Meunier grapes on the skins during pressing. They are Champagne with rich and dense aromas, fresh and decisive that only a few producers have decided to reinterpret in a modern key.
An example? The Domaine Jean Vesselle in Bouzy, in the Montagne de Reims.
Delphine Vesselle, daughter of Jean Vesselle and third generation of "recoultant-manipulant" has resumed with excellent results the production of Champagne Œil de Perdrix started by her father Jean, bringing back to the light this ancient method of winemaking. Produced starting from a short maceration on the skins of Pinot Noir (100%), the Champagne Œil de Perdrix by Vesselle, enchants with its vinous nose and mouth. Salmon pink color and aromas of red fruits, ripe fruit and spicy notes on the finish for this Champagne whose evolution in the bottle is fascinating to be discovered even after many years.
We would like to present you the Producers who promoted this almost forgotten method and that you can find on our Online Shop.
Nathalie Falmet, Vigneron of Rouvres les Vignes, in the Côte des Bar, with her Champagne Œil de Pedrix focuses on the balance, power and elegance of a wine that with this method expresses all its dimension of singularity and exception. Result of 100% Pinot Noir, the short maceration on the skins gives it the typical amber reflections, intense nose and mouth with an unmistakable freshness. A rare Champagne that fully expresses the characteristics of Œil de Pedrix Champagne.
The Champagne Rosè Extra-Brut Œil de Perdrix by Dehours & Fils is the Rosè non Rosè of the Domaine, located in Cerseuil, in the Vallée de la Marne. Result of the blending of Meunier and Chardonnay, it is a fine and elegant Champagne that stands out for its freshness in which citrus and floral notes predominate. Jérome Dehours, at the management of the Domaine has carried on the tradition of Champagne Œil de Perdrix also with the Œnothèque version: Champagne Rosè Œil de Perdrix Œnothèque 2004 and Champagne Rosè Œil de Perdrix Œnothèque 2005, both released in 2020 in extremely limited quantities (60 bottles the 2004 edition and 116 bottles the 2005 edition) and dedicated to legendary vintages of Champagne.
Also Yannick Doyard, from Domaine Doyard, in Vertus, in the Côte des Blancs is a key figure in the Champagne Œil de Perdrix panorama. His Champagne Œil de Perdrix 2015, a blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, has an authentic and decisive character, a delicious balance between fruity and fresh notes of dog rose and citrus combined with more herbaceous and wild notes.
Discover here the whole selection of GLUGULP! Champagne Œil de Perdrix