Tradition Brut

The Tradition Brut is De Sousa's entry-level cuvée and shows the house's signature style without detours: bright tension, clear fruit, a finish with a mineral character. Dry in impression, despite the seven grams of dosage.

De Sousa cultivates 9.5 hectares at the heart of the Côte des Blancs, with Grand Cru sites in Avize, Cramant, Oger and Le Mesnil-sur-Oger. The average vine age exceeds 45 years, and the soils are defined by chalk.

A cuvée of 50% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir and 10% Pinot Meunier. Ageing takes place slowly and gently in cellars carved into the chalk, at a constant 10 °C. The dosage is seven grams, the alcohol content 12.5% vol.

The nose opens with citrus fruits and almonds, joined by a light note of fermented Boskop apple. With air, the Champagne becomes more yellow-fruited, showing chalky notes and a hint of jasmine above. On the palate it is direct and vinous, the fruit bright and clear, with creamy hints of lemon meringue and wine froth, alongside white peach, nectarine, apple and citrus. The dosage carries through to a finish with a mineral character.

Langoustine with fennel, apple and elderberry, char with nori and quail eggs, or yellow beetroot with pear and fresh goat's cheese.

De Sousa converted to organic farming in the late 1990s, followed by organic certification in 2010 and Demeter recognition in 2013; the Demeter logo appears on the label. Today, Charlotte, Valentin and Julie De Sousa run the house in Avize. Erick De Sousa introduced oak barrels into the vinification early on, not for woody aromas, but for texture and depth.