Michel Gonet Les 3 Terrioras Blanc de Blanc Extra Brut Champagne 2018

Just south of Épernay, a 12-mile-long, chalk-covered ridge rises from the countryside. The hill is covered in 7,500 acres of vines, 97% of which is Chardonnay. This is the Côtes des Blancs, the most iconic sub-region of Champagne's smallest major growing area (also of the same name). While one might assume that the region was named for the white grapes that decorate the hillside, the Côtes des Blancs takes its moniker from the bright white soils rich with chalk. These unique soils are prime for growing Chardonnay. The chalk provides a reliable water source for the wines; it’s porous enough to prevent vines from being waterlogged and absorbent enough to retain water through dry spells. The white color of the soil also reflects heat from the sun up into the canopy, which aids in fruit ripening. Champagne is generally a cold growing region, so this added boost of heat and light is hugely beneficial. 

For many generations, the Gonet family has called the greater Côtes des Blancs home. The family moved to Champagne from Beaujolais in the 15th century and worked in the vineyards before establishing their Champagne house in the early 1800s. Each subsequent generation helped lay a foundation for a successful domaine with the most recent patriarch, Michel Gonet, enlarging the cellars in Avize and refocusing the winemaking in the 1970s. The family holds 40 hectares in the grand cru village of Le Mesnil sur Oger, in Vindey, on the Sézannais hillsides and the slopes of Montgueux (referred to lovingly as the Montrachet of Champagne.) The Les 3 Terroirs is a Blanc de Blancs made from vineyards in the three aforementioned villages. It sees a minimum of 5 years of aging on the lees before release and receives just 5 grams per liter of dosage. Despite the minimal dosage, the wine drinks generously with a fruitful and full palate.  You can’t go wrong here – this is a fantastic Blanc de Blancs from a storied producer, with the cherry on top being that you get grand cru fruit in this delightful blend of terroirs. Simply delicious!