Champagne Drappier Brut Nature sans soufre NV
A thrilling champagne of real depth and energy, this sugar-free, sulphur-free blanc de noirs offers a rich nose of apple, pear and hazelnut, followed by a bone-dry palate full of refined lemon and mineral flavours.
Over half of Drappier’s production comes from the family’s own vineyards near their base in Urville. Viticulture is close to organic, with horse-drawn ploughing, cover crops and natural fertiliser used.
Only the juice from the first pressing - the cuvée - was used, and was transferred to tank by gravity. After a natural settling, the alcoholic fermentation took place over two weeks at a low temperature, followed by complete, natural malolactic fermentation. The wine was bottled without filtration, and spent at least three years on lees before disgorgement. No sulphur was added at any point during the production, and there is zero dosage.
| RRP | £67.95 |
| Vintage | NV |
| Alcoholic strength | 12.0% |
| Country | France |
| Region | Champagne |
| Dry/Sweet value | 1 |
| Contains sulphites | Yes |
| Vegetarian | Yes |
| Vegan | Yes |
| Milk | No |
| Eggs | No |
| Organic | No |
| Biodynamic | No |
| Closure | Cork |
For one of Champagne’s most forward-thinking producers, Drappier has no shortage of historic roots. An eighth-generation family business, the house was founded in 1808, and occupies magnificent twelfth-century cellars built by Cistercian monks. Having spearheaded the revival of Pinot Noir in the region, in the 1930s, Drappier continued to innovate. Rosé in a clear bottle was introduced in 1968; extremely low levels of sulphur are used, and there is even a no-added-sulphur cuvée made; the liqueur d’expédition is matured for over fifteen years in oak and demi-johns; and Drappier is the only house to ferment every format, from half-bottles up to the gigantic 30-litre Melchisédech, in the bottle in which it is sold.
