TASTING LARMANDIER-BERNIER LATITUDE
A gem of the Champagne region, the house of Larmandier-Bernier began with the marriage of Philippe Larmandier and Elisabeth Bernier in 1971.
It made me very happy when Mr Swinging popped opened a chilled bottle of the estate-grown100% chardonnay Larmandier-Bernier Latitude champagne. It's a gorgeous, bright wine with terrific depth and tons of chalky flavours.
A gem of the Champagne region, the house of Larmandier-Bernier is that rare combination among bubbly producers — a small-family business that is firmly committed to biodynamic farming methods. Although both of the families have a long history in Champagne it wasn't until the marriage of Philippe Larmandier and Elisabeth Bernier in 1971 that the two maisons were joined and a new champagne house was created.
Today it's their son Pierre, his wife Sophie, and grandson Arthur Larmandier who manage the estate. Pierre, who always had a passion for organic grower, began converting the vineyards to organic in1992 and, later, to biodynamic viticulture. The maison uses only indigenous yeasts in the vinification and little dosage (the addition of sugar at the end of the aging process) for a pure expression of the terroir of their wines.
The vineyards of the estate are in Côte des Blancs subregion, south of Epernay, so called because it's predominantly white grapes that grow there. Beneath a thin layer of top soil is the chalk that gives these champagnes their bold minerality.
TASTING NOTES
Eye – Bright straw in colour.
Nose – Aromas of lemon and of white flowers. Vibrant, with notes of anise and honey.
Taste – Full-bodied, structured, with lemon peel, gravel, dried pear and chamomile.
Overall – A fine, creamy bead, with flavors of pineapple, and poached apricot, balanced with chalky acidity.
THE WINERY
Champagne Larmandier-Bernier
19 Avenue du Général de Gaulle
51130 Vertus