From: Baslieux-sous-Châtillon, Vallée de la Marne, Champagne, France
Varietal: Petit Meslier
Taste: The Liebart-Regnier L'Enclos Champagne greets you with a captivating nose, where bright mandarin orange and red fruit aromas mingle with the enticing nuttiness of grilled hazelnuts, grounded by an unmistakable hint of oyster shell and oceanic salinity. On the palate, it unfolds with layered precision—lush stone fruits like peach intertwine with the minerality of wet stone and that signature oyster shell brininess. Subtle fresh bread and nut notes add a delicate warmth, balancing the refreshing maritime essence in this champagne.
Pairing: Starting with the briny freshness of oysters Rockefeller, the champagne’s oyster shell and mineral notes align perfectly with the oysters. At the same time, its subtle bread character enhances the buttery breadcrumbs on top. For those craving a fried food match, lightly fried calamari with a sprinkle of sea salt and a squeeze of lemon provides a crispy, savory contrast to the wine’s minerality and fruit tones. In comparison, buttermilk fried chicken uses the champagne’s acidity to cut through the richness, creating a refreshing finish with every bite.
Buttermilk Ranch Fried Chicken
By Vaughn Vreeland
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.