Adrien Renoir

Le Terroir (vendange 2022) | Bottle 75cl

Description

Adrien Renoir'sLe Terroir (2022 harvest) offers a precise interpretation of the Verzy Grand Cru: a chalky backbone, lemony energy, and a texture delicately polished by wood. Crisp and straightforward as an aperitif, it unfolds at the table with a salty finish and a harmony of fruit and sweet spices that make it a natural companion for fine cuisine.

The production of Le Terroir champagne (2022 harvest) Adrien Renoir

Blend

This cuvée aims for a style that balances taut purity and aromatic power, where the freshness of Chardonnay dialogues with the fleshiness of Pinot Noir. The blend features two emblematic grape varieties, each playing a complementary role.

• Pinot Noir (50%) brings structure, precise red fruit and a spicy texture.
• Chardonnay (50%) brings chalky tension, citrus brightness, and floral finesse.

The terroir

The grapes come exclusively from the Grand Cru terroir of Verzy (Montagne de Reims), a terroir of cold, predominantly chalky hillsides. The chalk, a reservoir of water and heat, promotes measured ripeness and linear minerality. It gives the wine a salty sensation, a clear verticality, and great aromatic purity.

Vinification

Fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats (80%) preserves the precision of the fruit, while aging in oak barrels (20%) adds depth and a touch of sweet spice. The 20% of reserve wines, aged in large oak casks, weave together the continuity of style and round out the mid-palate.

The choice of an Extra Brut dosage of 1.6 g/L affirms the purity of the profile and highlights the chalky finish without dryness. Disgorging at maturity establishes the harmony between tension, texture, and complexity.

The 2022 vintage

A bright and dry year, 2022 delivered consistent ripeness and well-balanced acidity. In Verzy, the Chardonnay gained a lemony straightforwardness, while the Pinot Noir retained a precise fleshiness. The vintage produces energetic and legible wines with the potential for serene evolution. The reserve wines bring a certain roundness to the blend.

Tasting notes

• Color

  The color of the Le Terroir cuvée (2022 harvest) is a bright pale yellow with silvery highlights. The effervescence is fine and regular, the mousse delicate; the overall impression is one of precision and elegance.

• Nose

  On the nose, lemon zest, white apple, and hawthorn blossom mingle with notes of fine brioche and hazelnut. A chalky, subtly iodized aroma adds depth and complexity as the wine breathes.

• Palate

  On the palate, the attack is lively and caressing. The mid-palate combines yellow fruit, dry chalk, and a slight toastiness. The silky bubbles stretch out a salty and precise finish, with noble bitter notes that call for food.

Pairing suggestions

Appetizers

• Fine oysters with lemon caviar
• Gougères with 18-month-old Comté cheese
• Sea bream tartare with herbs

Maincourses

• Sea bass fillet with lemon beurre blanc
• Roasted poultry, clear jus, and salsify
• Asparagus risotto, Parmesan cheese

Desserts

• Thin lemon tart
• Honey-roasted pears
• Almond financier

Serving and storage tips

Serving

Serve between 9 and 11°C in a slender tulip glass. Aeration for a few minutes reveals the chalky dimension and brioche nuances while preserving the tension.

Storage

Store the bottle horizontally at 64–54°F, away from light and vibrations. Optimal window: 2024–2030, with an evolution towards light honey and dried fruit notes.