Apollonis Authentic Meunier Blanc de Noirs

- 100% meunier variety showing true expression from the Marne Valley

- Expressive and complex wine made by ageing it to the sounds of music

"Formerly called the Brut Réserve, this 100-percent meunier cuvée is Loriot’s entry-level, non-vintage brut. It’s full in body while remaining lively and fresh, showing notes of pink grapefruit, apricot and cranberry, underlined by a pleasing hint of bitter citrus peel. It finishes with a soft, stony minerality and fragrant fruit aromas, feeling harmonious and inviting" Peter Liem.

From the old vine plot planted by his grandfather, Michel LORIOT composes a different cuvée, bringing this 100% Meunier to its highest quality. Low yields are formed from the 70-year old vines, providing concentrated flavours and depth of texture.

- Pair with Goats cheese and mushroom tart with flaky pastry... Or on it's own.

The Michel Loriot range of champagnes bears the name champagne Apollonis. Found in the small village of Festigny, the Apollonis estate owns 7 hectares of vines comprising 20 or so separate plots planted for the most part with pinot meunier (80%), some chardonnay (18%) and a little pinot noir (2%). The estate has been awarded the high environmental value (HVE) certificate, the highest award recognizing respect and care for the land, the environment and its biodiversity.

Festigny has relatively chalky soils for the Vallee de la Marne and the village itself lies in the warm valley, fully exposed to the sun. Within this valley is a solitary hill upon which the best vineyards of the village are located. With its steep slopes and a crown of trees on top, it is almost reminiscent of the hill of Corton in burgundy.

The majority of this domaine’s vineyards are found surrounding this hill, planted on steep slopes in clay rich in marl and limestone. Only natural fertilizers are used to treat the vineyards (it’s been over a decade since Michel has eradicated all use of herbicides). Michel firmly believes that getting things right in the vineyard allows healthy grapes to be harvested, which enables minimal intervention in the winemaking process. Production is a mere 300 000 bottles a year.