L’Odyssée Pétillante – Chapter 2 is a narrative cuvée that captures the essence of the 2023 harvest through a radical, additive-free approach. This wine is part of an evolving series in which each year, the artistic label and content change to tell a new chapter in the estate's history. For this second chapter, Romain Hénin remains faithful to his vision of a "0-0" champagne: without sulfur or any additives.
The cuvée's production
- Blend: The wine is dominated by Meunier and Pinot Noir, complemented by a small proportion of Chardonnay.
- 2023 harvest: A year marked by continuous rain from late July to early September, requiring extremely rigorous sorting by a team of 40 people.
- Vinification: The wine was aged for one year in barrels and tonneaux.
- Technical philosophy: The entire process is carried out using gravity, without pumping, in order to preserve the wine's natural energy. Fermentation is spontaneous and carried out using indigenous yeasts. The wine is unfined and unfiltered.
- Dosage: This champagne is a Brut Nature, produced without any dosage.
History and philosophy of the winemaker
Romain Hénin's career has been marked by formative experiences, notably at Henri Giraud, before his return to the family estate in Aÿ, a Grand Cru terroir, in 2013. The trigger for sulfur-free wines came during encounters in Greece, leading to a total conversion to organic and biodynamic farming. He then produced a few thousand bottles of champagne, which are highly sought after by natural wine enthusiasts. In 2021, he took over the entire 6 hectares of family land and decided to stop selling grapes to négociants in order to vinify his entire harvest.
The 2023 vintage
The year 2023 was marked by challenging weather conditions, with continuous rain from the end of July until the harvest in early September. These conditions required rigorous sorting at the press, carried out by a team of 40 people to retain only healthy berries, despite modest ripeness (9.5 to 10.5°). For Romain Hénin, this year's overall blend was chosen to ensure the consistency and stability of the wine.
Tasting notes
Color
Although not specified in the technical notes, the color generally reflects the purity of a wine vinified without sulfur or filtration, with lively bubbles.
Nose
The nose is inviting and evolving. Although it may seem reserved at first, it opens up beautifully with time, revealing a deeper dimension after a few hours of aeration.
Palate
On the palate, the wine is distinguished by its natural tension. L'Odyssée Pétillante is a lively wine that "changes" and takes on another dimension 24 hours after opening. A practical note: the bubbles often express themselves better in the second glass than in the first.
Food pairing suggestions
- Sea bass carpaccio with lime
- Crispy vegetable tempura
- No. 2 open sea oysters
- Free-range chicken with morel mushrooms
- Green asparagus risotto
- Braised pork loin
- Mature Chaource cheese (local pairing)
- Thin pear tart
- Breton shortbread with fleur de sel
Aging potential
- 2026-2027: The wine expresses its immediate freshness and saline tension after disgorging.
- 2028–2030: Development of aromatic complexity linked to aging in wood.
- 2031–2035: Maturity phase, when this sulfur-free wine reveals its profound aging potential.
Anecdote about this cuvée
Romain Hénin has introduced an original traceability system for his barrels: each year corresponds to a letter (2023 = "U") and each barrel bears an evocative first or last name to streamline the team's work. The disgorging of Chapitre 2 is orchestrated with surgical precision, only on "fruit days" and during the waning moon, in order to respect the cycles of biodynamics and the lunar calendar, to which the winemaker is deeply attached.
