# Antoine Chevalier Coteaux Champenois Les Crochots (2023)

- **Producer:** Antoine Chevalier
- **Colour:** white
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Chardonnay
- **Region:** Champagne, France
- **Style:** Natural
- **Alcohol:** 12.0%
- **Average price:** €70
- **Vegan:** Yes
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 10–12 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** lemon, lime, apple, blossom, toast, butter

## About this wine

Domaine Antoine Chevalier is an artisan grower estate located in Vitry-en-Perthois in the Coteaux Vitryats sub-region of Champagne, spanning just 2.5 hectares. The family has farmed in the region since 1973, with Antoine establishing his independent domain starting with the 2016 vintage. While Champagne is famous for sparkling wine, this rare Coteaux Champenois still white is produced from 50-year-old Chardonnay vines in the single parcel 'Les Crochots' situated on pure outcropping chalk soils.

## Interesting facts

- Sourced from a single parcel of 50-year-old Chardonnay vines planted in 1973 on pure chalk.
- Extremely limited allocation with only a few hundred bottles produced annually.
- Aged in neutral oak barrels and specialized ceramic spheres inside underground chalk cellars.

## Food pairing

High acidity and pure chalky minerality allow this bone-dry Chardonnay to cut through delicate rich seafood, poultry, and refined aged cheeses without masking subtle flavors.

## Wine making process

Grapes are hand-harvested in small crates and undergo whole-cluster pressing. Fermentation is spontaneous using indigenous yeasts, without fining or filtration, and natural malolactic fermentation is allowed to occur. The wine is aged for 18 to 24 months in a combination of neutral oak barrels, stainless steel tanks, and Clayver ceramic spheres in a subterranean chalk cellar.