Marie Courtin, EFFLORESCENCE, Champagne, 6 Bottle Case, 75cl

100% Pinot Noir, Biodynamic Champagne, natural yeast fermentation, oak barrels, long lees ageing, no dosage, purity and style. Efflorescence is farmed biodynamically and hand harvested and vinified in used barriques using natural yeasts (for both fermentations) and aged sur lie for three years and bottled with zero dosage. This bottling is made from grapes from the bottom of the hill, which Dominique believes results in greater power and ageing potential. Efflorescence is rich, raw, sapid and beautiful to drink. Efflorescence refers to something that evolves in perpetuity. Starting with the evolution encouraged by the small oxygen exchange in barrel, Dominique Moreau feels that this wine in particular will show a very different face at each stage of its development in bottle. The new wine is very fresh, elegant, precise, beautiful citrus notes on the finish, toasted brioche abounds, creamy yet taught and with a long length.

Marie Courtin is a tiny 2.5 hectare domaine in Polisot in the Cotes des Bars, the southernmost region of Champagne. It is run by Dominique, wife of Roland who also has vines in the village and bottles wine under his family name Piollot (see the related wines below). Dominique is a fantastic 'Artisan Vigneron', she has converted her vines to Biodynamic certification (demeter) over a period of 6 years and her wines are the purest expression of traditional method fizz. She uses wild yeasts of course and manages to make some wines without any sulphur.

Her Cuvees are very fresh, the acidity creating a veil of elegance and restraint which marks them out from other Champagnes. With food, they are superb and they also age very well although at only 6-8000 bottles in total and 5 cuvee the wine doesn't hang around long. When first opened, her bottles can seem a little closed but these wines reward a little patience. Uncork the bottle and have a glass then put a Champagne closure on and leave in the fridge over night. In the morning, the wine will have come to life, brimming with rich flavours, nuttiness, toasted brioche and complexity. When meeting Dominique and Roland, one is struck by their quiet, thoughtful nature and warmth. They are a spiritual couple who feel very attached to the land in their native village of Polisot, not far from the Chablis region in southern Champagne. Dominique expresses this sensitivity in her wine making and approach to viticulture, she is 'true believer' in Biodynamics, and the names of the wines carry their own spiritual significance.