Why it matters
The producer
Every grape is picked with care and delicately pressed on the house's premises. Launois Père et Fils was founded in 1872, and Séverine and Caroline Launois now continue family production through eight generations of savoir faire. The house is a récoltant-manipulant, the Champagne term for a grower producer that handles grapes from its own vineyards. A museum cellar carved into chalk holds historical winemaking equipment from the 17th to 19th centuries.
Place and vineyards
Where the wines begin
The Côte des Blancs is a Chardonnay focused part of Champagne. Launois Père et Fils has Grand Cru vineyards in Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Cramant and Oger. Grand Cru is Champagne's top village classification, marking the vineyard status carried by these addresses. Launois Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Réserve draws on the three villages and uses Chardonnay alone. Blanc de Blancs describes a sparkling wine made from white grapes.
Wines to know
The range in view
The named sparkling wines include Launois Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Réserve, Launois Blanc de Blanc Grand Cru Maxime Millésime, Launois Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Réserve Brut, Launois Blanc de Blancs Brut Cuvée Réserve, Launois Oeil de Perdrix Blanc de Noirs, and Launois Dorine Le Mesnil Sur Oger Blanc de Blanc Brut. Maxime Millésime carries the 2018 vintage, while Oeil de Perdrix is the Blanc de Noirs expression. Dorine spends a full year maturing in oak barrels, developing a warm amber tint and luscious fruity texture. It pairs with white meats or cheese.