2013 Billecart-Salmon Extra Brut, Champagne, FranceABOUT THIS WINE: A blend of Grand cru and premier cru fruit from Montagne de Reims, Cte des Blancs, and Valle de la Marne. Vinification in stainless steel. Aged on the lees for 9 years. ABOUT THIS PRODUCER: The Billecart family has been living in Mareuil sur Ay since the 16th century. When Nicolas Francois Billecart married Elisabeth Salmon in the early 1800s the two families' long held vineyards were married as well. This led to Nicolas' decision to

the cuvée is is supplemented with purchased fruit from neighboring parcels with similar characteristics

and a touch of quince—balanced by a racy acidity that keeps the wine fresh and precise

The domaine cultivates its vineyards with lutte raisonnée (sustainable farming)

Romain moved from lutte raisonnee to organic viticulture in 2001

preferring to plowing only 8cm deep

even in less ripe vintages

creating robust

The Granito Cru Alvarinho is one of a series of wines that Luis makes that exemplify and express the intensely terroir-driven style in which Luis operates

Caroline holds two degrees in agricultural engineering and oenology

The wine rests on its fine lees with occasional batônnage (stirring)

The winery owns the oldest traditional basket press in this part of Europe

especially since the Saint-Vincent Tournante of 1997