Champagne Egly-Ouriet Les Prémices

Champagne Egly-Ouriet Les Prémices: a precise interpretation of an extra-brut blend

Champagne Egly-Ouriet Les Prémices is a blend designed to express, with minimal artifice, the raw material and identity of its sector of origin. It combines equal parts of the three Champagne grape varieties – Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay – from Trigny, in the heart of the Massif de Saint-Thierry. The blend is produced as an extra-brut cuvée, with a dosage of 2 g/L, in order to preserve the wine's clarity and balance.

Profile of the cuvée

The choice of an equal blend provides a three-pronged structure: the backbone and depth of Pinot Noir, the suppleness and aromatic modulation of Pinot Meunier, and the tension and texture of Chardonnay. In this context, the low dosage (extra-brut champagne 2 g/L) acts as a fine adjustment: it limits the sweetness and emphasises the structure, length and definition of the flavours.

Technical characteristics

• Type: Extra-brut champagne
• Blend: equal parts Pinot Noir / Pinot Meunier / Chardonnay
• Base: 2021 harvest base blend
• Terroir: Trigny – Massif de Saint-Thierry (old vines)
• Vinification: fermentation with indigenous yeasts, unfiltered wines
• Ageing: 36 months in
• Dosage: 2 g/L
• Volume: 750 ml

Tasting notes: sensory characteristics

Visually, the cuvée generally has a golden hue, enlivened by a fine effervescence. The aromatic profile often features notes of white flowers, citrus fruits and chalky/mineral elements, with a possible evolution towards more pastry-like or slightly toasted nuances linked to ageing on lees. On the palate, the balance is built around a clean attack, measured volume and a finish that seeks precision rather than opulence, a frequent signature of lightly dosed extra-bruts.

What long ageing actually changes

A cellar ageing period of 36 months before disgorging promotes a finer integration of the second fermentation and a gradual increase in the wine's complexity. Technically speaking, this ageing on lees helps to stabilise the texture, enhance the persistence and develop markers of evolution (brioche, cereals, dried fruit) without erasing the imprint of the terroir. In the case of Champagne Egly-Ouriet Les Prémices, this ageing process serves as a foundation for the low dosage: the wine relies on its substance and cellar time rather than on sweetness adjustment.

Serving and storage recommendations

• Temperature: aim for 8–10°C for a precise reading of the aromatics and structure.
• Glass: a tulip-shaped glass or wine glass (rather than a narrow flute) best highlights the aromatic profile.
• Opening: brief aeration in the glass may be useful if the bottle has just been opened.
• Storage: store horizontally, away from light, in a cool, stable environment.

Distinctive features

• An equalblend of the three grape varieties, for a balanced and structured profile.
• The Trigny terroir (Massif de Saint-Thierry) is brought to the fore.
• A minimalist approach to vinification: indigenous yeasts, unfiltered wines.
• Extra-brut with a dosage of 2 g/L, seeking definition and clarity.
• 36 months in the cellar before disgorging, to integrate texture and complexity.