Tarlant Zero Rose Brut Nature NV
TarlantGrape: Chardonnay Pinot Noir
Vintage: NV
Type: Sparkling
Made from Pinot Noir that was destemmed, then briefly macerated and put into a Burgundy barrel. The Chardonnay was also fermented in barrel, and the wines were fermented spontaneously and aged in barrel. It was in the 20th century that Louis Tarlant helped establish the Champagne AOC in 1927. The Tarlant family has cultivated grapes in the region since 1687 and settled in the village of Oeilly in 1780. In addition to this legacy, Tarlant was one of the first independent states that refused to sell their grapes to the big houses in the first half of the 20th century.
Laherte Freres
Aurélien Laherte is part of a dynamic generation of young vignerons making waves in Champagne and producing a fine array of terroir-driven wines using a natural approach to viticulture and winemaking. Aurélien took over in 2005 sheparding the estate to become one of the most progressive and dynamic rising stars in the appellation.
The Laherte family has a long history in the region. Founded in 1889 by Jean-Baptiste Laherte, the estate was originally made up of vines primarily in the village of Chavot. Fourth generation vigneron Michel Laherte expanded the family estate which then covered about five hectares.
The Laherte vineyards are situated largely in the Côteaux Sud D'Epernay, an interesting sub-region sandwiched between the Cotes des Blancs and the Vallee de la Marne, with pockets of soils that greatly resemble these two fine and geologically diverse regions. The vineyards themselves total 10.5 hectares (over 75 separate parcels), seven of which are farmed biodynamically and certified organic, with the rest farmed either 'uncertified organic' or at least sustainably.
These wines are all vinified in used Burgundy barrels, without malolactic fermentation, and are bottled without fining and filtration. They are then finished with little or no dosage so as to not mask the individuality of the underlying terroirs.