| Producer | Christophe Mignon |
| Country | France |
| Region | Champagne |
| Varietal | Pinot Meunier |
| Size | 750ml |
 |
Meunier specialist Christophe Mignon comes from a long line of farmers in the hamlet of Le-Mesnil-le-Huttier, 13 miles west of Epernay. His 6.3 hectares of vines were planted by his great-grandparents and are spread among thirty parcels between the villages of Le Breuil and Festigny in the Vallée de la Marne. This area south of the Marne River and along the Flagot tributary is known for its high percentage of Pinot Meunier, which is particularly well suited to the deep clay and chalky Tuffeaux soils that dominate the terrain.
Mignon’s unique approach to viticulture, referred to by us as the Mignon Method, combines natural practices including biodynamics, phytotherapy, homeopathy and geobiology. He likens nature to a rubik’s cube, always changing and offering up new challenges. He is constantly in search of the most subtle challenges and limiting factors in his work, and revels in finding inventive solutions. With the mind of an engineer and the heart and soul of a fifth generation farmer, Mignon’s ingenuity has led to creations such as special footing blades for his tractor to achieve the ideal width and depth when working soils in the vine rows, as well as a homeopathy machine that dilutes treatments of copper blended with valerian root and garlic to help regulate whatever Mother Nature throws his way.
Mignon has followed the lunar calendar for 20 years, allowing the moon’s cycles to dictate his work in the vineyards and in the cellar. He strives to follow the rhythm of nature and explains, “the moon for a vigneron is like a metronome for a musician.” In seeking harmony between the root system and everything that happens above ground, Mignon employs one person per hectare in his vineyards. This ambitious and costly ratio (something you might find at such regal estates as Dagueneau or Leroy) helps to obtain very low yields and directly contributes to the high quality of mature fruit at harvest.
Christophe Mignon is both intellectual and philosophical, as are his wines, but he doesn’t take himself too seriously! You’d be hard pressed to find a bigger smile than the one spread across his face when he is in his vines. He believes Champagne is meant for true enjoyment and there is much to enjoy in his exceptional lineup of vinous and textured wines made from Pinot Meunier, Champagne’s “underdog” varietal (though garnering more and more interest with each passing year). We are so pleased to include Christophe Mignon’s distinctive wines in the Polaner portfolio.
Wine Notes:
VINEYARD
Sourced from a vineyard located in the communes of Festigny and Le Breuil. Blend of parcels planted in 1976.
ORIENTATION
South/Southwest
SOIL
Clay-limestone with traces of chalk. 60 cm of topsoil with layers of Tuffe underneath.
VITICULTURE
Blend of biodynamics, phytotherapy, homeopathy and geobiology. One person cares for one hectare-extremely high ratio by Champagne standards. All fruit is hand-harvested.
VINIFICATION
Parcels vinified separately in inox and apoxy lined tanks. Bottling dates chosen by lunar calendar, followed by secondary fermentation in bottle. Each terroir is conserved separately before blending.
AGING
50% 2014, 50% 2013. Fermente din apoxy-lined tanks. Aged 24 months in bottle, 6 grams dosage. DIsgorged March 2018
PRODUCTION
Limited
NOTES
This 100% Pinot Meunier Rose is fresh and lively with very fine bubbles. Cutrus and hints of caramel dominate the palate of this layered and extremely elegant rose.6 gr/l dosage. Disgorgement: March 2018
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