Let’s discuss the renowned Champagne region of France. Did you know that the ‘Champagne Hillsides, Houses & Cellars’ are together listed as official UNESCO World Heritage sites? The Champagne appellation d’origine contrôlée production zone was defined by law in 1927, covering about 34,300 hectares across 319 villages, also known as «crus». There are nearly 280,000 plots cared for by over 16,000 growers, with most plots being quite small, around 2.5 hectares on average.
With that in mind, I would like to highlight a particular winery, a five-generation grower and producer of Champagne from Domaine Bauchet. It all began with just one hectare of land in 1920, and has now expanded to 34 hectares spread across seven different terroirs, including those within the Premier Cru vineyard area in the Champagne Region. The domain remains dedicated to preserving tradition and respecting both the terroir and environment. Their commitment was recognised in 2020 with the award of two certifications: High Environmental Value and Sustainable Viticulture in Champagne. However, their journey towards virtuous agriculture continues, with ongoing efforts such as planting aimed at creating biodiversity zones.
At Domaine Bauchet, a blend of professional modern techniques and traditional practices is meticulously applied to the winemaking process. Their Cuvee is crafted using 8000 kg presses to gently extract the juice from the grapes, which undergoes a second fermentation, known as ‹prise de mousse’, in the enchanting 250-metre underground wine cellar. This secondary fermentation process lasts between 2 to 8 years, depending on the specific product focus aimed at satisfying the diverse palates of their international customer base.
Guiding this process is Bruno Charlemagne, the esteemed oenologist and winemaker, alongside Robin Bauchet, the grandson, and Florence, the daughter of Gérard, who collectively oversee the management of the estate.
The term ‘Domaine’ encapsulates the entirety of the winemaking journey at Bauchet, where each stage, from cultivating the vines to bottling, is meticulously undertaken on-site by the family and a team of qualified professionals. Here, there’s no outsourcing of grapes, must, or bottles; everything is proudly ‹Made in the Bauchet Estate’, resulting in an annual production of 250,000 bottles.
The tasting journey at Domaine Bauchet begins with their Cuvee Origine, a Champagne blend comprised predominantly of 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay, with 25% sourced from reserve wines. Aged for 30 months, the grapes hail from vineyards across the Côte des Bar and the Marne, including the Côte des Blancs at Grauves and Montagne de Reims at Bisseuil.
This exquisite Champagne boasts a captivating bouquet of floral aromas intertwined with delicate pastry notes. It strikes a perfect balance between floral and fruity flavours, complemented by autolytic nuances of bread, biscuit, and subtle hints of honey and thyme. On the palate, it delights with a luxurious mousse that lingers, buoyed by a crisp acidity and a medium, fruity finish, concluding with refreshing mint and saline notes derived from its mineral-rich terroir. Overall, it’s a Champagne of remarkable complexity and elegance.
The next Champagne offering is the Cuvee Signature Premier Cru, renowned as one of Domaine’s iconic products. It originates from premier cru vineyards in the Marne region, including Grauves, Côte des Blancs, and Bisseuil in Montagne de Reims. This blend comprises 80% Chardonnay and 20% Pinot Noir, aged for 36 months in the cellar.
Upon nosing, the wine reveals a captivating complexity. Initial aromas of white fruits such as apple, pear, and citrus notes greet the senses, followed by secondary aromas of roasted almonds, bread crust, and cooked fruits, showcasing the wine’s maturation and development of complexity. On the palate, it exudes fresh acidity, elegant finesse, and intense bubbles, with layers of flavour unfolding. The medium-plus finish leaves a delightful sensation of cooked peaches, almonds, candied lemon, and subtle hints of sugarplums lingering on the palate. It’s no surprise that both Champagnes have garnered numerous awards, including gold medals at the Mundus Vini International Competition tastings in 2014 and a silver medal in 2024.
The final Champagne sampled is the Cuvee Seduction, a blend of 60% Chardonnay, 25% Pinot Noir, and 15% red wine Coteaux Champenois sourced from vineyards in the Marne region. This rosé Champagne, aged for 24 months, boasts a captivating salmon flesh color and a rich bouquet of floral notes like violet, accompanied by fresh fruity aromas of strawberry, mulberry, cranberry, and orange. It offers a long finish with soft tannins, leaving lingering hints of black tea and nuttiness on the palate, complemented by a captivating salty minerality that begs for food pairing. This intriguing Champagne was awarded a silver medal at the German Tasting Competition.
Each bottle is adorned with the cork and wire muzzle, stamped with the BAUCHET brand symbol—a testament to their passion and dedication as wine producers, which we, as consumers, truly appreciate for our enjoyment.
For more information, visit champagne-bauchet.com
