Côte des Bar domaine making fruit driven Champagne from Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc, including Trois Contrées Brut.
The producer
Domaine La Borderie works in the Côte des Bar around Bar-sur-Seine, with family vines spread across seven villages. Simon and Marie Normand joined Odile and Jean Louis Normand's business in 2013 and set out to build an independent domaine. The winery opened in October 2015. The estate holds High Environmental Value status and became the first Champagne estate certified for Sustainable Viticulture in September 2014. Its wines are fruit driven, with Trois Contrées made from Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc.
Known for
Fruit driven Côte des Bar Champagne
Notable facts
The domaine spans 11.5 hectares across seven villages around Bar-sur-Seine.
Only 1.5 hectares currently supply the domaine's own production.
The winery was officially inaugurated in October 2015.
The estate was awarded High Environmental Value status in 2013 and became the first Champagne estate certified for Sustainable Viticulture in September 2014.
Trois Contrées Brut comprises 70% Pinot Noir, 23% Chardonnay and 7% Pinot Blanc.
The story
From Cooperative To Domaine
Odile and Jean Louis Normand had been making Champagne for many years as members of the local cooperative. In 2013, their children Simon and Marie joined the family business and said they wanted to build an independent domaine. The family had sold grapes to larger producers, and the move reversed the business from grape sales to estate bottling. The new winery was officially inaugurated in October 2015. The domaine's range includes Trois Contrées and De Quoi te Mêles Tu?
From the atlas
Domaine La Borderie
Domaine La Borderie makes fruit driven Champagne in the Côte des Bar from Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc.
At A Glance
Field
Detail
Region
Champagne
Subregion
Côte des Bar, Aube
Main grapes
Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc
Signature wine
Trois Contrées Brut
Defining feature
Fruit driven cuvées with limited oak fermentation
The Producer
The winery was officially inaugurated in October 2015. Domaine La Borderie was awarded High Environmental Value status in 2013 and became the first estate anywhere in Champagne certified for Sustainable Viticulture in September 2014.
The cuvées use 5 to 15 percent oak fermented wine. The house style is clean, fruit driven and focused on the character of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc.
Place
The family's 11.5 hectares lie across seven villages around Bar-sur-Seine in the Côte des Bar, Champagne's southernmost subregion, in Aube. Only 1.5 hectares currently supply the domaine's own production. Historically, the family sold grapes to larger producers.
Wines
Trois Contrées Brut comes from three plots in three villages and blends 70% Pinot Noir, 23% Chardonnay and 7% Pinot Blanc. The Pinot Blanc comes from a plot planted in 1954. Part of the Pinot Noir is vinified in wood, and the wine ages for 30 months in the cellar. It has a pale gold colour with amber reflections, a floral nose with spice and dried fruit, then a tart, ample, fruity and tense palate.
De Quoi te Mêles Tu? Blanc de Noirs Extra Brut is made from 100% Pinot Noir. It is youthful, bright and refreshing, with good balance between fruit and delicacy. Its aromas include tropical fruit, ripe pear, cherry and apple, followed by almond, liquorice, pink grapefruit, blackcurrant, wild strawberry, honeysuckle, pepper and sweet spices.
Final Word
The Normand family makes fruit driven Champagne in the Côte des Bar, with Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc at the centre of the range.