# Les Collines de Vaux (2020)

- **Producer:** Le Domaine D'Edouard
- **Colour:** white
- **Type:** sparkling
- **Grapes:** Chardonnay, Pinot Noir
- **Region:** Burgundy, France
- **Style:** Natural
- **Alcohol:** 12.0%
- **Average price:** €22
- **Vegan:** Yes
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 10–12 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** apple, pear, lemon, blossom, redcurrant, biscuit, brioche, toast

## About this wine

Les Collines de Vaux is a distinctive biodynamic, zero-dosage sparkling wine crafted by Le Domaine D'Edouard in the Bourgogne Côtes d'Auxerre region of Burgundy, France. Established in 2014 by Édouard Lepesme, who transitioned from a marketing career after studying with renowned Chablis winemakers like Alice and Olivier de Moor, the domaine embodies a philosophy of minimal intervention. Édouard acquired 13.5 acres of vines, first planted in the 1960s, which are farmed organically since the 1990s. The vineyards are situated on hillsides in Vaux-Auxerre, boasting chalky limestone soils remarkably similar to those found in Chablis, contributing a unique minerality to the wine. Surrounded by cherry trees and organic wheat fields, the estate promotes a rich biodiversity, reflecting Édouard's commitment to producing wines of great purity, finesse, and balance.

## Interesting facts

- Édouard Lepesme, the producer, made a career switch from marketing to winemaking, studying with acclaimed Chablis producers.
- The vineyards have been farmed organically since the 1990s and are surrounded by cherry trees and organic wheat fields, promoting biodiversity.
- This Brut Nature sparkling wine is aged for an impressive 36 months in the bottle, contributing to its complexity and finesse.
- The domaine's chalky limestone soils are strikingly similar to those found in Chablis, imparting a distinct minerality to the wine.

## Food pairing

This Brut Nature sparkling wine, with its high acidity and dry profile, excels with dishes that benefit from a refreshing lift. Its effervescence and crispness cut through richness, cleanse the palate, and complement delicate flavors without overpowering them. It's particularly well-suited to fresh seafood, light salads, and creamy, mild cheeses, where its minerality and bright fruit notes can shine.

## Wine making process

Le Domaine D'Edouard employs a meticulous, hands-off approach to winemaking, starting with 100% organic and biodynamic viticultural practices. Grapes for Les Collines de Vaux are hand-harvested to ensure optimal quality. Fermentation is carried out using indigenous yeasts, and sulfur additions are kept to a minimum, aligning with the producer's natural wine philosophy. The 2020 vintage of this sparkling wine underwent an extensive aging period of 36 months in the bottle, allowing for complex development and integration of flavors before release. This extended aging contributes to the wine's depth and refined character.