Selosse

This “Cult” Champagne house has been established by Jacques Selosse and his wife in the 1950’s in the small village of Avize (The heart of the “Côte des Blancs”). He was a true “récoltant-manipulant”, which means that all the grapes that are used to produce their own Champagne are coming from their own vineyards.

In 1980, his son Anselme took over the business, after studying for 4 years at the “Lycée Viticole” in Beaune (Burgundy). And then things radically changed. Anselme Selosse converted the vineyards to organic (and sometimes bio-dynamic) viticulture with respect for terroir, he aimed for very low yields and introduced a “solera system” for his “Substance” champagne.

His family domaine cultivates 8 Ha of land, divided in 50 different plots, planted with 8500 Pinot Noir and 65.000 Chardonnay vines. Most of the plots are Grands Crus and situated in Avize, Cramant, Oger, Mesnil (Chardonnay), Aÿ, Mareuil-sur-Aÿ and Ambonnay (Pinot Noir). Anselme Selosse uses wooden barrels, obtained from Domaine Leflaive in Burgundy.

The domaine produces 12 different cuvées, including 6 single vineyard Champagnes (The Collection Lieux-Dits): “Initial Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru”, “Version Originale (V.O.) Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Extra-Brut”, “Substance Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Extra-Brut”, “Millésimé Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs (Extra-)Brut”, “Brut Rosé”, “Exquise Blanc de Blancs Sec” and the 6 Lieux-Dits.

All his wines are extremly opulent, very concentrated, low in acidity, mineral and with impressions of ripe yellow fruit such as apricot and peach. Only 55.000 bottles are produced every year, so it isn’t very easy to obtain a bottle. Moreover, the bottles are very much sought-after by connoisseurs.