Location and Terroir
Champagne Brocard Pierre is located in Celles-sur-Ource in Champagne, in the French wine-growing area of Côte des Bar. The estate comprises three slopes: two facing south and one facing north. The soils range from a very clay-rich south-facing slope, to Kimmeridgian marl on the north-facing slope, to a south-exposed Portlandian fault.
Family History
Georges Brocard began making the family Champagne in 1932. The estate was then carried on by Emile Brocard, Henri Brocard and Pierre Brocard. Since 2012, Thibaud Brocard has been at the head of the family business.
Vine Growing and Cellar
The operation is not biologically certified, but, according to its own information, works closer to biological methods than conventional ones and uses selected biodynamic practices. Synthetic agents against rot and mildew are not used; protection against downy mildew is managed by the estate through targeted use of copper. Glyphosate has not been used for more than 20 years. The wines are processed with a traditional Coquard press, aged under nitrogen and fermented and stored in stainless-steel tanks. For selected wines, longer lees ageing is planned.
Grape Varieties and Wines
The documented cuvées are based on Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc. These include Contrée Noire, a Brut Nature from the 2018 vintage made from 100% Pinot Noir, and Aube Saline, a Brut Nature made from 100% Chardonnay from the same vintage. Dits-Lieux is a non-vintage Brut Nature cuvée made from 75% Pinot Noir, 20% Pinot Blanc and 5% Chardonnay. L'Égarée from the 2020 vintage consists of equal parts Pinot Noir and Chardonnay; several wines were aged in barrels. The range is complemented by the Rosé Saignée de la Côte made from 100% Pinot Noir, the Brut Nature Absimilis made with skin maceration from 100% Pinot Blanc, and the still wines Coteaux Rouge and Coteaux Blanc from the 2022 vintage.
