Côtes des Bars, Champagne, France
Charles Dufour farms 6 certified organic hectares in Landreville in the Cotes des Bars region of the Aube. His champagnes are electric, trend-setting and extremely hard to come by. Considered a rebel, Charles adopts unique practices for Champagne like being certified organic by Ecocert, avoiding use of industrial yeasts, rarely adding sugar, often choosing to age in wine steel rather than barrel, minimal sulfur and a fascination with adding Pinot Blanc to his blends.
Charles is a one man show, therefore production is small, and expansion is not an option. His wines are charismatic as he is! 55% Pinot Noir 35% Chardonnay 10% Pinot Blanc. Nine months in barrels, three months in stainless steel, fifteen months in bottle on its fine lees. Less than 4g residual sugar.
Peaches and apricots, yellow apple, chestnut honey. Pair with oysters, seafood towers, roasted marcona almonds and olives, or for a sommelier pro-tip pairing - fried chicken!