# Les Vignes de Vrigny Premier Cru (NV)

- **Producer:** Domaine Egly-Ouriet
- **Colour:** white
- **Type:** sparkling
- **Grapes:** Pinot Meunier
- **Region:** Champagne, France
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 12.5%
- **Average price:** €95
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 8–10 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** apricot, apple, strawberry, redcurrant, lemon, grapefruit, bread, toast, biscuit, almond, hazelnut, honey

## About this wine

Domaine Egly-Ouriet is an iconic grower-producer based in the Grand Cru village of Ambonnay. Francis Egly took over in 1980 and became a pioneer of the grower Champagne movement. Egly treats Champagne like great still Burgundy, harvesting grapes at full ripeness, limiting yields, and aging the wines well beyond typical commercial standards. This produces intensely vinous, complex Champagnes meant for serious gastronomy. Les Vignes de Vrigny is a rare single-varietal expression of Pinot Meunier from old vines in the Premier Cru village of Vrigny, showcasing a remarkably pure, energetic, and serious side of a grape traditionally used only for blending.

## Interesting facts

- One of Champagne's first and most famous 100% old-vine Pinot Meunier single-varietal cuvées.
- Sourced from vines planted circa 1970 in the Premier Cru village of Vrigny.
- Unlike other Egly-Ouriet Champagnes, this cuvée is aged entirely in stainless steel to preserve Meunier's purity.
- The estate is a pioneer of the grower Champagne movement, treating sparkling wine like fine still Burgundy.

## Food pairing

The high acidity and pronounced intensity of this Extra Brut Champagne make it an exceptional partner for rich, textured seafood and poultry. Its zero-malolactic tension cuts through the fat of smoked salmon, scallops, and roasted duck, while its vinous, medium-to-full body matches the weight of these dishes. The saline, chalky finish beautifully complements the natural brininess of fresh oysters and raw fish.

## Wine making process

Sourced from old vines averaging 40 to 50 years in the Premier Cru village of Vrigny. Unlike other Egly-Ouriet cuvées which are vinified in oak, Les Vignes de Vrigny is fermented and aged exclusively in stainless steel tanks to preserve the clean, snappy fruit profile of Pinot Meunier. Fermentation is carried out with indigenous yeasts. Malolactic fermentation is strictly blocked to retain natural energy, tautness, and acidity. The wine is bottled unfined and unfiltered, then aged on its lees in the bottle for approximately 36 months before disgorgement. Dosage is kept extremely low, typically between 1 and 3 grams per liter.