From: Champagne, France
Varietals: 60% Pinot Meunier, 20% Pinot Noir and 20% Chardonnay
Tasting Notes and Critical Acclaim: Predominantly Pinot Meunier and from the northwest of Epernay (following the Marne River), this charismatic bubbly shows off all the round, fragrant red fruit & a touch of hazelnut that this grape is known for having. The finish is toasty, uplifting, and fresh, with an engaging note of mandarin orange zest that lingers on the tongue. You'll want another glass before you know it, and this wine is a bottle of excellent champagne to enjoy if you’ve loved those pretty yellow labels but want to try something different.
“With its ripe Meunier from the Marne Valley, this is a softly textured wine. It has a fine perfumed character, ripe white fruits and a fine finishing line in acidity. Drink now.” –Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast, 90 points
Pairing: Although excellent as an aperitif, this wine will also hold its own at the table. You can look to classic seafood pairings like clams, buttery crab, scallops, smoked salmon, or pan-fried flatfish (sole, halibut, flounder) with a beurre blanc sauce. Other great options include fried zucchini pancakes and quiche Lorraine. Texturally, this wine will also match beautifully with the delicate richness of a classic beef carpaccio made with the best quality ingredients.
Roasted Halibut With Mussel Butter Sauce
By Kay Chun
About. The Vallée de la Marne Rive-Droite in Champagne, France, has been the cherished home of the Liébart and Régnier families for seven generations. These humble, country folks have worked the land with unwavering dedication, nurturing their vineyards with an intimate knowledge passed down through the years.
In 1960, Lucien Liébart and Georgette Régnier established Maison Liébart-Régnier, an independent winegrower from the outset. Today, the torch is held high by Laurent, Valérie and their daughters Alexandra and Marion, who take great pride in making the family estate’s Champagnes.
Their domaine stretches over 11 hectares of verdant vineyards in the heart of the Vallée de la Marne, an inheritance from their predecessors. These lands span both banks of the Marne, in the communes of Vauciennes, the Liébart family's stronghold on the Left Bank, and Baslieux sous Châtillon, the Right Bank terrain bequeathed by the Régnier family.
The Liébart-Régnier vineyards are a stunning mosaic of 35 parcels. Here, the vines thrive in a blend of clay and limestone, mainly brown earth soils. They grow all seven Champagne grape varieties: Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and the lesser-known ancestral varieties of Arbane, Petit Meslier, Pinot Blanc, and Pinot Gris, which are still authorized in the Champagne appellation.
Liébart-Régnier is deeply committed to environmental stewardship. They firmly believe in the principle of borrowing the land from future generations, making it their duty to respect and protect it. This belief led them to adopt an eco-friendly approach years ago. In recognition of their efforts, they achieved Level 3 of the French High Environmental Value (HVE) certification in 2015. This certification acknowledges farmers and winegrowers who promote biodiversity and manage their fertiliser use to achieve self-sufficiency and protect the soil, water, and air. In 2018, they also received the Champagne region’s Sustainable Viticulture (VDC) certification, which recognizes environmental efforts in three key areas: biodiversity footprint, carbon footprint, and water footprint.
Liébart-Régnier's facility allows them to vinify individual parcels in thermoregulated vats and oak casks, with the guidance of an independent wine advisor. This traditional method, combined with minimal additives, ensures the purity and authenticity of their champagnes.
