From: Champagne, France
Blend: Chardonnay
Taste: Anthony Lynch aptly captures the allure of this Champagne, highlighting its dry, laser-focused nature that impeccably embodies the chalky essence of Vertus' premier cru slopes. His sentiment is echoed by Wine Spectator, which lauds its harmonious blend of poached pear, floral, graphite, biscuit, and ginger notes, rewarding it with a commendable 91 points.
Pairing: The Champagne Veuve Fourny & Fils Vertus Blanc de Blancs Extra-Brut Premier Cru is versatile. Whether you're indulging in sushi, sashimi, or even comfort foods like fish & chips or pork schnitzel, its creaminess juxtaposed with sharpness culminating in a saline finish ensures it complements a range of dishes.
Baked Fish and Chips
By Melissa Clark
About: Nestled in the heart of the prestigious Côte des Blancs lies the esteemed estate of Champagne Veuve Fourny & Fils. Although only recently introduced to the KLWM portfolio, this family domaine's roots stretch back to 1856. Situated in the premier cru village of Vertus, the estate enjoys the unique distinction of cultivating both Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vines.
Brothers Charles-Henry and Emmanuel Fourny, the fifth generation of their family to helm the estate, took over in 1993. With a shared vision sculpted from diverse personalities and experiences, the duo meticulously curates their cuvées to echo the nuanced elegance and freshness of the Côte des Blancs. Their approach to winemaking, favoring low dosage, allows the distinct terroir to resonate clearly in every bottle.
One of the crown jewels of the estate is the "Clos Faubourg Notre Dame", a rarity in Champagne due to its enclosed vineyard structure. The aged vines are coddled within these walls by a distinctive microclimate marked by a chalky subsoil infused with clay and limestone. The sun kisses these vineyards with eastern, southeastern, and southern exposures, ensuring optimal grape maturity.
Veuve Fourny champions classic grower Champagne. Their vineyards, benefiting from varied soil compositions and exposures, reflect Vertus' geologically complete terroir. Most of their vines, grafted through massal selection by their grandfather Albert since 1930, are now over 40 years old — a prime age to extract the essential salts and minerals from the soil.
In their technical approach, the emphasis on minimal intervention is evident. Harvested by hand, the white Chardonnay grapes undergo a meticulous vinification process. Only the premier juices, or "cuvées", are retained, and they're allowed to mature gracefully, absorbing their aromatic complexity over six months on lees in both vats and old oak casks. Unfiltered and unfined, the champagnes from Veuve Fourny are a pure representation of their heritage and land.
