Veuve Fourny et Fils 'Blanc de Blancs' Brut Nature 1er Cru, Champagne, France NV
When Charles Fourny visits the U.S., he's known to bring a small parcel from his family's home in Vertus, in the Côte des Blancs — unwrapping a piece of cloth to reveal a gleaming hunk of the creamy-white chalk that defines his premier cru vineyards. That chalk is at the heart of the Fournys' house style: a brisk, saline freshness that's been the throughline of the family's Chardonnay-based Champagnes for the past two centuries. Brothers Charles-Henry and Emmanuel Fourny farm the estate today, and nowhere is their style more boldly expressed than in the Brut Nature — a wine built entirely around the ripeness of fruit rather than dosage.
- WINEMAKER: Charles-Henry and Emmanuel Fourny
- FARMING: Lutte Raisonnée (sustainable viticulture)
- VARIETY: 100% Chardonnay
- TERROIR: Champagne AOC, Premier Cru village of Vertus, Côte des Blancs. Fruit is drawn from a 1.5-hectare parcel of the estate's most privileged, east-facing vines, averaging 40 years old, on chalk and limestone soils.
- VINIFICATION: Grapes are farmed on east-facing sites chosen to ripen fully in the early morning sun, allowing the wine to reach natural balance without any dosage.
- AGING: Aged in bottle for 2½ years before release. Bottled Brut Nature with zero dosage — the driest style of Champagne that exists.
- TASTING NOTES: Textural and energetic rather than luscious, with zesty citrus and crunchy fruit carried by a fine, persistent bead. Bright and mouthwatering, built to open a meal or a celebration rather than close one.
- FOOD PAIRINGS: Raw shellfish, oysters, or as an aperitif on its own.
- SCORES: 92 points, Wine Advocate (Robert Parker)
- Alc. 12%
Veuve Fourny et Fils 'Blanc de Blancs' Brut Nature 1er Cru, Champagne, France NV
When Charles Fourny visits the U.S., he's known to bring a small parcel from his family's home in Vertus, in the Côte des Blancs — unwrapping a piece of cloth to reveal a gleaming hunk of the creamy-white chalk that defines his premier cru vineyards. That chalk is at the heart of the Fournys' house style: a brisk, saline freshness that's been the throughline of the family's Chardonnay-based Champagnes for the past two centuries. Brothers Charles-Henry and Emmanuel Fourny farm the estate today, and nowhere is their style more boldly expressed than in the Brut Nature — a wine built entirely around the ripeness of fruit rather than dosage.
- WINEMAKER: Charles-Henry and Emmanuel Fourny
- FARMING: Lutte Raisonnée (sustainable viticulture)
- VARIETY: 100% Chardonnay
- TERROIR: Champagne AOC, Premier Cru village of Vertus, Côte des Blancs. Fruit is drawn from a 1.5-hectare parcel of the estate's most privileged, east-facing vines, averaging 40 years old, on chalk and limestone soils.
- VINIFICATION: Grapes are farmed on east-facing sites chosen to ripen fully in the early morning sun, allowing the wine to reach natural balance without any dosage.
- AGING: Aged in bottle for 2½ years before release. Bottled Brut Nature with zero dosage — the driest style of Champagne that exists.
- TASTING NOTES: Textural and energetic rather than luscious, with zesty citrus and crunchy fruit carried by a fine, persistent bead. Bright and mouthwatering, built to open a meal or a celebration rather than close one.
- FOOD PAIRINGS: Raw shellfish, oysters, or as an aperitif on its own.
- SCORES: 92 points, Wine Advocate (Robert Parker)
- Alc. 12%