Who makes it
Benoit Beaufort grows grapes in Ambonnay and works as a Récoltant Coopérateur. The Ambonnay Cooperative handles vinification, the fermentation and cellar work that turn the harvest into Champagne.
The winemaking approach uses traditional methods and extended ageing on lees. Lees are the yeast cells left after fermentation; keeping sparkling wine on them can make the mousse feel rounder and add a fuller texture.
Where it grows
Ambonnay is one of 17 Grand Cru communes among Champagne's 312 communes. Grand Cru in Champagne is a commune classification, so it marks place status on a label rather than a grape variety. The commune name appears in the Prestige cuvée, while the other named bottles carry Grand Cru without Ambonnay in their wine names.
What they make
Among the named cuvées, Benoit Beaufort Grand Cru Brut Tradition is 75% Pinot Noir and 25% Chardonnay, while Benoit Beaufort Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Brut is 100% Chardonnay. Tradition carries 7g/L dosage, 40% reserve wine and a 2012 base; Blanc de Blancs carries 8g/L dosage and 28% reserve wine. Benoit Beaufort Grand Cru Rosé Brut is another named bottle in the range.
Dosage is the sugar addition after disgorgement, while reserve wine is older base wine held for blending. The former controls sweetness; the latter adds earlier base wine to the blend.