Épernay: between the historic residences of the Avenue de Champagne and the art of Maison Lombard and Gosset
14
Feb 2025
Condividi su:
Crossed by the famous Avenue de Champagne, along which period residences and prestigious headquarters of the great Maisons succeed one another, Épernay welcomes us with its sober elegance and the intimate atmosphere of a town entirely devoted to Champagne.
It is here that our day begins, amidst savoir-faire and distinctly defined stylistic identities: Champagne Lombard, a contemporary interpreter of the terroir, and Gosset, one of the oldest wine houses in Champagne, guardian of a centuries-old tradition.
IMG_6938 copia.jpeg766.74 KB Champagne Lombard: the clear character of the terroir 1 Rue des Côtelles, 51204 Épernay, France
Maison Lombard stands out for a clear and radical vision: to deliver in the glass the most authentic identity of the terroir. Founded in 1925 by Robert Andrieu and today led by Thomas Lombard, it represents a contemporary model of stylistic consistency and technical precision, where every choice, from vineyard to cellar, is conceived to enhance the place of origin.
With certified organic viticulture and a craft-based yet scientific approach to winemaking, Champagne Lombard has made expressive transparency its signature. Only the essential, and everything converges toward a precise goal: allowing the soil, the climate, the altitude, and the parcel itself to guide the wine. From this philosophy are born rigorous and vertical cuvées, capable of narrating Champagne with a clear and sincere language.
A journey into matter All the Maison Lombard cuvées follow a common thread. Whether it is a pure Grand Cru or a blend, the Lombard style is recognizable for its balance and expressive clarity. The Brut Nature are the Maison’s signature: a choice of coherence, not of trend.
In the tasting journey, the different facets of the various cuvées stand out: the luminous tension of the Brut Nature Chouilly Grand Cru, the austere depth of the Verzenay Grand Cru, the measured strength of the Les Corettes parcel, the mineral generosity of Chemin de Flavigny in Avize. The cuvées of the Signature line, such as the Extra Brut Cuvée Assemblage and the Blanc de Noirs Premier Cru, instead reveal the art of balance, blending as a contemporary interpretation. We conclude with the Brut Nature Grand Cru Millésimé 2008, preserved in the Tanagra bottle, a symbol of elegance and longevity, and, breaking the mold, a distillate: Esprit Les Ribauds, a terroir gin born from a lieu-dit.
An experience that leaves a mark for clarity, identity, and precision.
The full account of the cuvées tasted is available in the “Tastings” section of Champagne chez Moi.
Pit Stop and fast repair at “Cook’in” 18 rue Porte Lucas, 51200 Épernay, France
For our lunch break, we stop at Cook’in, a Franco-Thai restaurant in Épernay. Informal atmosphere and dishes prepared on the spot. Among the specialties, the wok du jour, a harmonious combination of flavors and fresh ingredients.
Gosset, Champagne in its most essential form 12 Rue Godart Roger, 51200 Épernay, France
Maison Gosset is rooted in nearly five centuries of history, yet it has preserved intact the artisanal spirit of its origins. Founded in 1584 by Pierre Gosset, winegrower and alderman of Aÿ, it is the oldest wine house still in activity. Since then, it has crossed eras and generations, keeping alive a philosophy of production based on excellence and authenticity.
In a historic park in the center of Épernay, sheltered from time and frenzy, the Maison continues to produce cuvées with a bold, elegant, and uncompromising character. Here, every bottle is born from a meticulous selection of grapes sourced from the region’s finest crus, and from a winemaking process that excludes malolactic fermentation, in order to preserve the freshness and structure of the wine.
Notes of style During the visit, guided by Thibaut Le Mailloux, we had the privilege of tasting some of the Maison’s most representative labels, from the Grande Réserve to the complexity of the 21 Ans de Cave a Minima, passing through the bold character of the Grand Millésime 2016, the depth of the Celebris 2012, and the refined energy of the Rosés, such as the 12 Ans de Cave a Minima Rosé and the iconic Celebris Rosé 2008.
A coherent line marks the entire tasting: rigor, freshness, structure, and a precise stylistic identity. Each cuvée, unique in origin and personality, conveys a fragment of Gosset’s vision. The details – complexity, aromas, textures – will be the subject of a dedicated in-depth feature. For now, what remains is the clear impression of a Maison that continues to stand out for its consistency, depth, and fidelity to itself.
Champagne is not just a place, but an experience to be lived with all the senses.
The full account of the cuvées tasted is available in the “Tastings” section of Champagne chez Moi.
