What kind of wine is Champagne Extra-Brut 'Efflorescence' 2017 - Marie Courtin?

The Champagne Extra-Brut 'Efflorescence' 2017 - Marie Courtin is a wine of great personality, the result of the artisanal work of Dominique Moreau, the heart and soul of the Marie Courtin house, located in the heart of the Côte des Bar, in the south of Champagne. This rare Extra-Brut is made exclusively from Pinot Noir grapes from biodynamically farmed vineyards, cultivated with respect for the soil and natural cycles.

Produced using the Champenoise method – also known as the classic method – it involves a second fermentation in the bottle, followed by months of aging on its lees. The result is a pure, vibrant, and mineral Champagne, which fully expresses the clay-limestone terroir of Kimmeridgian origin typical of the Polisot area.

Vintage Details

The 2017 vintage is remembered for its balanced climate, with a mild spring and a dry summer that favored optimal maturation of the Pinot Noir. The harvest took place at perfect phenolic ripeness, yielding healthy and concentrated grapes that gave rise to a wine of great balance, where elegance and structure coexist harmoniously.

Winemaking and Aging

The Champagne Extra-Brut 'Efflorescence' 2017 - Marie Courtin is born from natural winemaking: fermentation with indigenous yeasts and no fining or filtration. The second fermentation takes place in the bottle according to the classic method, with a long aging on the lees of about 36 months. The very low dosage (Extra-Brut) enhances the purity of the fruit and the mineral precision of the wine, delivering an authentic and uncompromising profile.

Tasting Notes

A Champagne with a refined character, capable of engaging the senses with its energy and depth.

Color

In the glass, it presents a brilliant golden yellow, crossed by fine and persistent bubbles that enhance its visual vibrancy and anticipate its gustatory freshness.

Nose

The bouquet is complex and clear: it opens with delicate notes of ripe citrus and white flowers, followed by hints of bread crust and light spices. With aeration, mineral nuances and dried fruit tones emerge, revealing its depth and elegance.

Palate

On the palate, it is dry and taut, with a marked freshness and an extraordinary finesse of bubbles. The texture is creamy yet contained, supported by a vibrant minerality and a long, clean finish, leaving a pleasant saline and persistent sensation.

Pairing suggestions for Champagne Extra-Brut 'Efflorescence' 2017 - Marie Courtin

Thanks to its decisive character and elegant structure, this Champagne pairs perfectly with refined but not overly complex dishes. It is ideal to accompany:

• raw fish, oysters, and seafood carpaccios
• salmon or tuna tartare with citrus
• poultry or quail dishes
• fresh soft cheeses, such as goat cheese
• light risottos with vegetables or crustaceans

It also proves to be an excellent meditation Champagne, perfect to sip alone to appreciate every aromatic nuance.

Storage and Aging: how to store Champagne Extra-Brut 'Efflorescence' 2017 - Marie Courtin

To preserve its freshness and evolutionary characteristics, it is important to store Champagne Extra-Brut 'Efflorescence' 2017 - Marie Courtin correctly. Here are some practical recommendations:

• Temperature: maintain between 10°C and 12°C, constant and without thermal shocks.
• Light: keep the bottle away from direct light sources; light alters the aromatic components.
• Position: store the bottle horizontally, so that the cork remains constantly moist and perfectly adhered to the neck.

Under these conditions, the Efflorescence 2017 can evolve positively for several years, developing increasingly complex notes of honey, dried fruit, and spices, attesting to the great aging potential of this Marie Courtin cuvée.