Why it matters
The producer
The fifth family generation now manages Champagne Rémy Massin & Fils, a grower Champagne house based in Ville-sur-Arce in the Côte des Bar. The house was founded in 1974. It farms 22 hectares and produces approximately 120,000 bottles a year. Pinot Noir leads the vineyard plantings, with Pinot Blanc also represented in the range. The house style centers on minerality and complexity.
Place and vineyards
Where the wines begin
Ville-sur-Arce lies in the Côte des Bar, the southern Champagne region. Most of the vines grow on Kimmeridgian limestone and clay containing tiny oyster fossils named Exogyra virgula. Limestone is commonly associated with brisk acidity and a stony impression, while clay can hold water and contribute breadth to vine growth.
Wines to know
The range in view
The range includes Tradition, Nature and Special Club cuvées. Tradition spends 24 to 36 months on lees, while Nature spends at least 36 months. Lees ageing keeps the wine in contact with spent yeast cells, which can soften texture and add bread or biscuit notes.
The Special Club range includes Pinot Noir and Pinot Blanc expressions. Pinot Noir Special Club shows delicate floral notes and red berry aromas. Pinot Blanc Special Club brings rich floral aromas, white fruit, acidulated freshness, roundness and a very long finish. Dosage differs by cuvée: Nature is 0 g/l, Special Club Pinot Noir is 3.9 g/l, and Special Club Pinot Blanc is 4.5 g/l.