Fuelled by increasing demand for more authenticity, purity and terroir expression in the glass, the Grower Champagne movement continues to pick up pace. The two great growers in this pack are at the vanguard of this movement, growing and raising wines from biodynamic and organic vine that express their place with diamond-cut clarity. We encourage you to read more about makes these growers, so special in the Champagne story, here and here. For now, we can guarantee that these two wines provide a window into the heart and soul of this movement.
What is Grower Champagne?
A simple concept: the people that grow the grapes make the wine. In the region there has been a historical division, where grape growers only grow grapes, then sell them to large négociants or Champagne houses—the famous names we all know (and some cheaper ones we don’t).
Why haven’t I heard of most Grower Champagnes?
These are wines made by families, not corporations, in small quantities and with little or no marketing budget. Less than 2% of Champagne sold in Australia is made by independent growers—the lowest percentage in the world! Australians love their Champagne, but sales are dominated by the big brands.
How are they different?
These producers only use fruit from their own vineyards, where they control the whole process. This leads to distinct, individual wines that reflect their tiny origins. They are often organically grown, which is great not only for the vineyard environment, but also for the intensity and natural development of flavour. By contrast, most commercial Champagnes are blends that follow a homogenous house style. The grapes could come from anywhere within the very large Champagne region.
Will I like them?
Yes! If you love exploring different wine styles, you’ll find plenty to keep you busy with each and every Grower Champagne. Because of their distinct differences, they tend to be a bit more like great wines to slowly savour, rather than throw-back celebratory drinks. They are typically drier than commercial Champagnes but because each grower strives for full fruit expression, they rarely feel austere.