Marc Augustin TERRE 'Cuvee 291' Biodynamic Champagne

The earth represents the maternal element which is solid and stable. It embodies structure, dry matter, and minerality. This is an organic-flavoured, powerful, elegant cuvée made from young vines.

Gorgeous fruit filed nose, berries, golden apple, spice, beeswax, honey and marmalade. The palate is a wave of salty sake, apple cider funk, lemon pith and soft elegant acidity. That length goes on for ages and provides much thought and contemplation. - Kyri Christodoulou, Emperor Sommelier

Domaine Augustin is a family business, run today by Marc and Emmanuelle Augustin. Together they farm nine hectares of Premier Cru vineyards in the communes of Avenay Val D’or on the Montagne de Reims and Vertus in the Côte des Blancs.

Marc found himself with a land that was 'alive' resulting from the organic management of his father Jean, who courageously rejected man-made chemicals from the beginning.

They conveted to biodynamic viticulture in 2011 and are certified Demeter. In the winery they use a combination of wood, amphorae and concrete containers for the first fermentations and aging of the vins clairs. The first ferments are often wild and take place spontaneously and for the second fermentation in bottles we use the fine lees stored in a carboy - which is a large globular glass bottle with a narrow neck, dynamized before inoculation with raw sugar from biodynamic agriculture.

100% Pinot Noir; Soil limestone & clayey; Single year; Old vines – 25-35 years; Ageing on lees- 10 à 11 months; No dosage during the disgorging; Yeast based on the lees from last year - no filtration