Ameunia VME 23 Blanc de Noir Brut Nature

The Ameunia VME 23 is the first single-varietal Meunier in the history of Agrapart Avize. Fabrice Agrapart, who re-founded his house around 2020 in Avize, specifically sought out these vines on the left bank of the Marne. The nose is open and generous: ripe pear, wild strawberry and raspberry, alongside an exotic touch and subtle yeasty spice.

The grapes grow in Mareuil-le-Port and Festigny, two villages on the left bank of the Marne in the Vallée de la Marne, away from the estate's home base. That is in Avize in the Côte des Blancs, where Fabrice Agrapart farms just over five hectares across seven villages.

100% Meunier, hand-harvested and spontaneously fermented with its own yeasts. 70% of the base wine ages on fine lees in stainless steel, 30% in oak demi-muids, with full malolactic fermentation. After 20 to 24 months on lees, the Champagne is released without fining, without filtration and with under 50 milligrams of sulphur per litre, as a Brut Nature with no dosage. It is based on the 2023 vintage, bottled in July 2024.

Volume and a fleshy fullness carry ripe stone fruit and berry notes, accompanied by a lively, still somewhat restless mousse. A Meunier with real substance, one that a little bottle age will help settle and refine.

With roast quail, a porcini mushroom risotto or vitello tonnato, as well as with grilled poultry. For cheese, a semi-aged Comté.

The house's first single-varietal Meunier, bottled with no dosage. The vineyards are in conversion to organic farming, worked according to biodynamic practice, though without certification.