Why it matters
The producer
Champagne Alain Mercier is a Récoltant Manipulant house in Passy-sur-Marne and a member of Vignerons Indépendants de Champagne. A Récoltant Manipulant makes Champagne from its own vineyard holdings. The house follows traditional methods inherited from earlier generations. In the traditional method, the second fermentation takes place in the bottle, creating the mousse, while lees ageing can add texture and savoury notes.
Its range includes BLCK, Duramen and Novatio, each built around a different combination of Chardonnay, Meunier and Pinot Noir.
Place and vineyards
Where the wines begin
Passy-sur-Marne lies in the Vallée de la Marne, an hour from Paris. The vineyard composition includes Chardonnay, Meunier and Pinot Noir. Duramen, BLCK and Novatio separate those varieties into different combinations. Grape variety changes aroma, body and acidity, so each composition alters the wine before cellar ageing begins.
Wines to know
The range in view
The range includes Duramen Brut, Novatio and BLCK. Duramen is composed of 80% Chardonnay and 20% Meunier. BLCK is a Blanc de Noirs made from 100% Pinot Noir, vinified in enameled vats and aged four years on the bottle. Its palate combines tropical intensity, mineral freshness and ripe yellow fruit.
Novatio is a vintage cuvée made from 50% Meunier and 50% Pinot Noir, with five years on lees. Mango and pineapple lead the nose before tobacco and spice appear. The bottles range from a Chardonnay and Meunier composition to a Pinot Noir Blanc de Noirs and a vintage wine with extended lees ageing.