LeDomduVin: Champagne Pierre Péters

Pierre Péters Cuvée de Réserve Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Brut Champagne NV

My colleagues opened a bottle the other day and offered me a glass. I hadn't tasted this champagne for a while and was happy to try it. I love Champagne so much that it is difficult to resist the temptation anyway.

As I did not know much about this champagne house, I went to their website, and here is what I have learned:

Although the adventure started in 1858 when Gaspar Péters married Miss Doué, who owned a 2-hectare vineyard in the commune of Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, 

Champagne Pierre Péters was only founded in 1919, when Camille Péters, Gaspar's grandson, decided to harvest, handle, and, by 1929, sell bottles under his name.

In 1930, Camille acquired an additional 2.5 hectares of vineyards at “Les Chétillons,” a beautiful "lieu-dit" in the Grand Cru village of le Mesnil sur Oger.

In 1932, at the age of 12, Pierre Péters, Camille’s eldest son, attended his first exhibition alone and developed sales.

In 1944, Camille died suddenly, and Pierre took over the operations. In 1946, he released his first vintage under the brand name “Pierre Peters.”

After his mother died in 1949, Pierre supported the education of his younger sisters. For 35 years, he devoted his life to developing the brand and its vineyards in the "Côte des Blancs."

In 1967, due to extensive health problems, Pierre transferred the family estate to his second son, Francois. During his 40 years at the helm of the family house, he increased the vineyards to 17.5 hectares and dramatically improved sales growth in France and abroad until 2008.

In 2007, after 12 years of experience in wine and Champagne-related companies, oenologist-winemaker Rodolphe Péters joined the family business. In 2008, he took over the family estate and concentrated on improving the winemaking process. He also focused on enhancing the family brand's reputation and image in France and internationally, which now accounts for over 80% of the bottles shipped.

Pierre Péters Cuvée de Réserve Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Brut Champagne NV

The "Cuvée de Réserve" is a "Blanc de Blancs" champagne. It is made exclusively with Chardonnay grapes from Grand Cru villages in the Côte des Blancs, mainly from Le Mesnil, with additional fruit from Oger, Cramant, and Avize. The base wines from the last harvest undergo 75% malolactic fermentation and are aged in a combination of stainless steel, concrete tanks, and large wooden barrels. They are then blended with approximately 45% of reserve wines from a perpetual reserve, inspired by the Solera Method, and enriched with more than 20 different years, with vintages dating back to 1988. After resting on its lees for at least 2 years, it was disgorged with a “liqueur de dosage/d’expedition” at 6-7 g/L.

The resulting Champagne displays a pale golden color with silver-greenish glints. The nose offers friendly aromas of lemon, yellow and green apple, lightly toasted, and mineral notes. The palate is ample and layered, generous without being heavy, balanced, with fine bubbles and zesty freshness. It offers a combination of lemony, toasted, mineral, and chalky flavors, expanding from the attack to the lingering finish. Charming, playful, sophisticated, and racy, without the pompous and aristocratic flair some champagnes pride themselves on having (which is a good thing😁👍🥂). Love it. 

Cheers! Santé! 

Dom

NB: Historical and winemaking info courtesy of (and edited for the purpose of this post) Champagne Pierre Péters website at https://www.champagne-peters.com/en/home 

 

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