And what is the style of Alfred Gratien champagnes?
Our wines are accessible.For me, this means that whether you're a wine lover or an irregular consumer, our wines are warm and quite fruity.And because we don't use malolactic fermentation, they're salivating.They have a gourmand, warm, fruity side that makes you want to go back for more.The texture of our bubbles is very creamy and delicate, both to taste and to touch.They are round and powerful without being heavy.I like to talk about gourmandise.I'm a bit of a gourmand myself, and my wines reflect that too.I like to make you want to have another glass.
Is the notion of time important to Alfred Gratien?
You can't make champagnes in a hurry.I'm not going to be patient with my brioche rising in my oven, I'm going to want to eat it right away because it's warm and smells good, but with champagne I MUST be patient, I have no choice.In Champagne, regulations require us to age non-vintage brut wines for a minimum of 15 months in bottle; at Alfred Gratien, we wait 4 years.Vintage cuvées are aged for at least 10 years, while the Cuvée Paradis is cellared for 6 to 7 years.We like to give our wines time to reach their full potential.Right now, we're bottling the last of the 2020 harvest, so I know I'll have to wait at least 4 years to taste it in the right conditions.
You're lucky enough to have a fine vinothèque at Alfred Gratien. What's the oldest cuvée in it?
The oldest bottle we have is from 1928, but my father has it in his own cellar.1928was the year my grandfather joined Alfred Gratien.And when he retired, the management offered him a few bottles.At Alfred Gratien, we have a vinothèque of pleasure that we start with 1945 and then all the great years, 1962, 1964, 1969, 1975.Today, we really enjoy tasting these bottles, and it's wonderful to share them with our customers.
