Egly-Ouriet
There are many famous producers of Champagne in Ambonnay, and among them, Egly-Ouriet is usually one of the first names mentioned. This family tends to old vines in the Grand Cru village of Ambonnay in the Montagne de Reims, and Francis Egly is widely recognized as one of the leading producers representing Champagne.
Their approach is simple to describe but difficult to put into practice. In the vineyard, they practice organic farming, till the soil, keep yields low, sort the grapes with almost obsessive thoroughness, and use only the purest first-press juice for their wines. Then, they let time do its work. Most cuvées age on their lees for at least 48 months, and some age well beyond 100 months.
This winery produces Pinot-dominant Champagnes using grapes from vineyards located in Ambonnay and two Premier Cru villages, and also produces a small quantity of Coteaux Champenois, a still red wine.
The history of Egly-Ouriet
Francis Egly is the fourth-generation heir of a family that has been producing wine in Ambonnay. He took over the business from his father, Michel, in 1980, and the direction he set at that time is still the path this winery follows today.
The changes made during Francis's era primarily concerned vineyard management practices. Organic farming methods, regular tilling instead of herbicides, and yields significantly lower than those permitted by the Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC) were introduced. While these practices are now commonplace in Champagne, they were far less common in the early 1980s.
Currently, his daughter, Clémence, works alongside him. The two serve as the public face of Egly-Ouriet, and the family still grows their own grapes rather than purchasing them from outside sources.
Ambonnay first, then Bisseuil and Vrigny
Egly-Ouriet originated in Ambonnay, a village in Grand Cru located in Montagne de Reims, and is one of the places most closely associated with the most serious Pinot Noir in Champagne. The family's holdings here include old vines, which serve as the source for Vieilles Vignes bottled wines.
One name worth noting is Les Crayères; this vineyard, located in Ambonnay, gave its name to the Les Crayères Blanc de Noirs bottling. Crayère means chalk quarry in French, which gives a hint as to what lies buried beneath the soil.
In addition to Grand Cru, Egly-Ouriet also cultivates vineyards in two Premier Cru villages: Bisseuil, located on the Vallée de la Marne side of the region, and Vrigny, situated at the western edge of Montagne de Reims. The names of both locations have not been merged or lost; instead, they are listed separately on the label.
Pinot noir
Above all, this winery best reflects the character of Pinot Noir, which stems from the specific sites where the vines are planted. Ambonnay has built its reputation precisely on this grape variety.
- Pinot Noir: The backbone of this lineup and the core of the Blanc de Noirs bottled wine
- Chardonnay: Used in blends such as the vintage Brut Millésime.
- Pinot Meunier: Used in some cuvees like Les Vignes de Vrigny (100%).
Pinot Noir is also used as the base for Coteaux Champenois, the winery's only still red wine.
The winemaking
Let's start with the harvest: Francis Egly once spent a full 300 hours selecting the grapes needed to fill just 10 barrels of his still red wine. This figure speaks more volumes about Egly-Ouriet's winemaking philosophy than any mission statement ever could.
Pressing is carried out using two Coquard presses, following the traditional Champagne method. The extraction process is conducted as gently as possible, retaining only the first press juice, known as the cuvée. The rest is used for other purposes.
Next comes the waiting period. Because Egly believes that structure and complexity stem as much from extended lees aging as from excellent fruit, most cuvées are aged on the lees for at least 48 months. Some age for over 100 months, which is precisely where the names V.P and Vieillissement Prolongé originate.
Red wines are handled differently. These barrels are stored above ground rather than in the cellar, as the slightly warmer temperature is better suited to the wine.
The wines
The Egly-Ouriet product line ranges from simple entry-level wines to wines aged on the lees for more than eight years. Les Prémices Brut is the first wine in this lineup. Tradition Grand Cru Brut is the house's flagship wine, the Ambonnay bottling, while Brut Millésime is a vintage-designated Grand Cru blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
The Blanc de Noirs wines are the cornerstones that have built this house's reputation. Both Les Crayères Blanc de Noirs Grand Cru and Blanc de Noirs Vieilles Vignes Grand Cru Brut are produced from the old Pinot Noir vineyard located in Ambonnay. V.P. Vieillissement Prolongé Grand Cru Extra Brut is a long-aged cuvée bottled with minimal dosage.
There are two wines that carry Premier Cru village names instead of Ambonnay: Les Vignes de Bisseuil 1er Cru and Les Vignes de Vrigny 1er Cru. There is also Brut Rosé Grand Cru.
In addition to the Champagne lineup, there is Coteaux Champenois, a still red wine produced in very limited quantities. This wine is made from the same grapes, cultivated in the same manner, but without undergoing a secondary fermentation process.
Frequently asked questions
Is Egly-Ouriet a grower Champagne?
Yes. The Egly family farms its own vines in Ambonnay, Bisseuil and Vrigny and makes the wine itself, rather than buying grapes like the large houses do.
What does it mean that only the cuvée is used?
In Champagne, the cuvée is the juice from the first, gentlest part of the pressing. Egly-Ouriet keeps only that fraction, considering it the purest, and does not use the later pressings in its wines.
Why is Ambonnay important?
It is a Grand Cru village on the Montagne de Reims with a long-standing reputation for Pinot Noir, and Francis Egly is regarded there as the finest grower.
Does Egly-Ouriet make anything other than sparkling wine?
It does. A small amount of still red Coteaux Champenois is produced from Pinot Noir, raised in barrel above ground rather than in the cellar.
