From: Avize, Côte des Blancs, Champagne, France
Blend: Chardonnay

Taste: On the palate, this Extra-Brut Champagne reveals a complex array of flavors and aromas. It opens with a vibrant, fresh citrus note reminiscent of lemon zest and green apple. It is then layered with subtle hints of white flowers and a delicate minerality, a signature of the chalky soils of the Grand Cru vineyards. As the wine opens, it unveils a subtly powerful brioche note that ramps up with air, a nod to its aging on the lees. The low dosage in this Extra-Brut style ensures that the wine maintains a crisp and refreshing acidity, making it both invigorating and sophisticated. The fine, persistent bubbles add to the elegance and texture of the Champagne, culminating in a long, clean, and rich finish that lingers on the palate.

Pairing: Its crisp acidity and pronounced minerality make it an ideal companion to various dishes. It pairs wonderfully with delicate seafood such as oysters, sushi, or a light ceviche, where its acidity complements the freshness of the fish. The wine's subtle toasty notes and complexity allow it to stand up to richer foods like creamy risottos or poultry dishes. We love enjoying this champagne with poulet roti over roasted scallions, fingerling potatoes, and sautéed mushrooms. For those who enjoy cheese pairings, this Champagne can be beautifully matched with soft, creamy cheeses like Brie or Camembert, which balance its crispness. This Champagne's versatility and refined character make it an excellent choice for various culinary experiences, enhancing both delicate and more flavorful dishes.

Baked Brie
By Melissa Clark

About. The Franck Bonville Champagne is deeply rooted in the prestigious terroir of the Côte des Blancs in the Champagne region of France. The story of this Champagne house began in the early 20th century with Alfred Bonville, the grandfather of Franck Bonville. Alfred, a visionary winemaker, started acquiring prime vineyards in the Grand Cru villages of Avize, Oger, and Cramant. These villages are renowned for their exceptional Chardonnay grapes, a foundation upon which the reputation of Franck Bonville Champagnes was built. Alfred's dedication to quality and his passion for the Chardonnay grape variety laid the groundwork for the future success of the Champagne house.

In the mid-20th century, Franck Bonville, the namesake of the house, took over the reins and continued his grandfather's legacy. Under Franck's stewardship, the house gained significant recognition for its high-quality Champagnes, particularly its Blanc de Blancs, made exclusively from Chardonnay grapes. Franck Bonville pioneered focusing solely on Chardonnay and promoting the singular qualities of this grape in Champagne production. His commitment to showcasing the unique characteristics of their Grand Cru vineyards led to the creation of Champagne known for their purity, elegance, and exceptional quality. Franck's dedication helped establish the house as a significant player in the Champagne world, particularly among enthusiasts who appreciate the distinct character of Blanc de Blancs Champagnes.

Today, the Franck Bonville Champagne house continues to thrive under the guidance of Franck's descendants. They maintain the family's tradition of excellence, producing Champagnes that truly express their Grand Cru terroir. The house has embraced modern techniques while preserving the artisanal approach that has defined its wines for generations. Their commitment to sustainability and respect for the environment is evident in their vineyard practices, ensuring the health and vitality of their land for future generations.

The vineyards of Franck Bonville are a tapestry of Grand Cru villages, including Avize, Oger, and Cramant. These areas are distinguished as Grand Cru for their superior grape quality, a status that only 17 of 320 Champagne villages hold. Franck Bonville's dedication to maintaining the highest standards is evident in their strict selection of grapes from these prestigious crus.

Avize, a village where Franck Bonville owns many vineyards (and the area where the grapes for this 2014 Blanc de Blancs is sourced), is particularly famous for its expressive and refined Chardonnay. The Champagnes from this village are known for their elegance and complexity, characteristics that have become synonymous with Franck Bonville's style.

Avize, is celebrated for its exceptional terroir and climate, vital in producing high-quality Champagne. Situated in the Côte des Blancs, an area famous for its Chardonnay grapes, Avize enjoys a typically continental climate characterized by cold winters and warm summers. This climate is conducive to grapes' slow, steady ripening, which is crucial for developing the complex flavors and acidity required in premium Champagne.

The terroir of Avize is particularly distinctive. The village's vineyards are mostly located on south-facing slopes, which ensures ample sunlight, a key factor in grape ripening. The soil in Avize is predominantly chalky, a characteristic shared by many of the best vineyards in Champagne. This chalky soil provides excellent drainage, forcing the grapevines to extend their roots deep into the ground to access water and nutrients. This struggle for survival beneficially stresses the vines, contributing to the concentration and intensity of flavors in the grapes.

Moreover, the chalk in the soil plays a significant role in reflecting sunlight and retaining heat, which helps maintain a stable temperature around the vines. This aspect is particularly advantageous during cooler periods, as it aids in protecting the vines from frost and ensures a consistent maturation of the grapes.

The combination of these climatic and terroir factors in Avize contributes to the production of Chardonnay grapes of exceptional quality. These grapes are known for their finesse, minerality, and crisp acidity, making them highly sought after for producing some of the finest Blanc de Blancs Champagnes. The unique characteristics of Avize's terroir are reflected in the distinct, elegant, and complex flavor profiles of the Champagnes produced from its vineyards.

"Grand Cru" in the context of Champagne refers to a classification based on the quality of the vineyards. In the Champagne region of France, vineyards are rated on a scale of 100 percent based on their quality, which is determined by various factors such as soil quality, climate, and grape variety. This system is known as the "Échelle des Crus" or "Crus scale.”

Vineyards classified as "Grand Cru" have been rated 100 percent on the Échelle des Crus. This designation is reserved for the highest-quality vineyards in Champagne. Wines produced from these vineyards can label themselves as "Grand Cru." They are often considered to be of superior quality and command higher prices. Below the Grand Cru, vineyards are classified as "Premier Cru," rated between 90 to 99 percent. These are also high-quality vineyards, but not quite at the level of the Grand Cru.

The classification system is a significant part of Champagne's wine heritage and is used to indicate the quality and prestige of the vineyards. However, it's important to note that while Grand Cru status is a strong indicator of potential quality, it doesn't guarantee that every bottle of Grand Cru Champagne will suit every individual's taste preferences. The winemaker's skill and the specific characteristics of each vineyard also play a crucial role in the final product.