Maison Collet - 'Brut Art Deco', Champagne Premier Cru, France (NV)

TASTING NOTES

As the flagship of the oldest cooperative in Champagne (COGEVI), Champagne Collet’s history harkens back to the ‘Revolt Champenoise’ that began in 1911. Motivated by rampant production of fraudulent Champagne, the revolt included 6,000 wineries, and ultimately resulted in the establishment of Champagne as an appellation, defining the boundaries and regulations for the region. The village of Aÿ was at the heart of the revolt, and many buildings were burned, including the Bissinger house, which today is home to ‘La Maison COGEVI’, a museum & archive dedicated to Champagne Collet and COGEVI. Raoul Collet was one of the founders of the cooperative, which began with 181 members (now ~850). For reference, there are now approximately 18,000 growers in Champagne (totalling 34,000 ha), and the largest cooperative, Nicholas Feuillette, has about 5,500 members. Other important co-operatives in Champagne include Henriot, Deutz and Laurent-Perrier.

Champagne Collet was founded in 1921. It is located in the heart of Aÿ, one of Champagne’s 17 Grand Cru villages, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site within the Vallée de la Marne growing region, notable for Pinot Noir.

The grapes are from 7 Grands Cru and 13 Premiers Cru sites and are gently pressed at stations in each vineyard within one hour of being hand harvested so that the clarity of the must is not compromised. Next, an indigenous, natural primary fermentation takes place at the winery.

Winemaker Sebastien Walasiak blends 40% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir, 20% Pinot Meunier and ages the Art Deco for a minimum of four years in the winery’s 100-year-old chalk cellars & in barrels from oaks grown in the appellation.