# Volnay Premier Cru Champans (2022)

- **Producer:** Domaine Marquis d'Angerville
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Pinot Noir
- **Region:** Burgundy, France
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 13.5%
- **Average price:** €239
- **Contains sulphites:** No
- **When to drink:** Later
- **Serving temperature:** 14–16 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** red plum, rose, raspberry, strawberry, red cherry, redcurrant, vanilla, cedar, mushroom, forest floor, tobacco, earth

## About this wine

The Volnay Premier Cru Champans from Domaine Marquis d'Angerville is a 2022 vintage Pinot Noir from Burgundy. The Champans vineyard, a significant holding for the domaine, is known for its historical classification and is farmed biodynamically. The estate, with over two centuries of history, is dedicated to producing pure, terroir-specific wines. The 2022 vintage is noted for its balance of richness and precision, reflecting the unique characteristics of the Volnay appellation.

## Interesting facts

- Champans is historically a 'Tête de Cuvée de Volnay'.
- Domaine Marquis d'Angerville is the principal owner of Champans.
- The vineyard is farmed using certified biodynamic practices.
- No pigeage (punching down the cap) is used, a family tradition.

## Food pairing

The wine's structure and earthy notes complement rich proteins and game. Its acidity can cut through the richness of dishes like duck confit, while its fine tannins harmonize with the protein in meats. Earthy elements in the food can echo the wine's subtle mineral and forest floor undertones.

## Wine making process

The winemaking process for Volnay Premier Cru Champans begins with a manual harvest and meticulous sorting of the Pinot Noir grapes. Following destemming, the grapes undergo a cold soak before fermentation on native yeasts. A distinctive family tradition of not punching down the cap (no pigeage) is followed to preserve the integrity of the seeds. Fermentation lasts between 10 to 12 days, with temperatures carefully managed. The wine is then aged in French oak barrels, typically for 12 to 18 months, with a proportion of new oak used. The domaine is committed to certified biodynamic farming practices.