Location and history
Champagne Domaine La Borderie is located in Bar-sur-Seine in the Côte des Bar sector of Champagne, in France. The estate was developed by Odile and Jean-Louis Normand, whose families have been involved in wine-growing in the Côte des Bar. Marie and Simon Normand took over the family business in 2013 and continued its development using parcel-based vinification.
Vineyards and working methods
The average vines, around 30 years old, include Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier and Pinot Blanc. The estate takes terroir and micro-terroir into account when selecting the plots and when assembling the cuvées. The grapes are pressed very soon after harvest; only a few kilometres lie between the vineyards and the press house.
The operation is certified as High Environmental Value and for sustainable viticulture in Champagne. Since 2012, according to its own statements, no herbicides, insecticides or acaricides have been used. Measures to care for biodiversity include controlled sown greenery, around 600 metres of hedgerows, tree and greenery plantings, as well as nesting boxes for birds and bats.
Plots and cellars
In the cellar, around 20 plots can be developed separately, which also makes cuvées specific to individual cellars possible. Approximately 1.5 hectares are allocated to the wines of Domaine La Borderie; the stated production is around 10,000 bottles. Further grapes and wines are supplied to co-operatives and houses.
Cuvées
The range includes Champagne wines as Blanc de Noirs, Blanc de Blancs, rosé and vintage wines, as well as wines with the designation Coteaux Champenois. De Quoi Te Mêles Tu? is an Extra Brut Blanc de Noirs made from Pinot Noir from the eponymous parcel planted in 1980 in Neuville-sur-Seine, with a north-facing aspect. The cuvée matures for 30 months in the cellar, contains 12 percent wine matured in oak casks, and undergoes malolactic fermentation partly in a stainless-steel tank.
Trois Contrées is a Brut made from 70 percent Pinot Noir, 23 percent Chardonnay and 7 percent Pinot Blanc with 30 months of cellar ageing. The cuvée combines the parcels Val Moré in Bar-sur-Seine, Les Devoix in Merrey-sur-Arce and Clos Bidaut in Ville-sur-Arce, which face east, south and west. La Confluente is a Blanc de Blancs from the 2014 vintage made from 80 percent Chardonnay and 20 percent Pinot Blanc, sourced from Les Devoix and Val Moré, and matures for 45 months in the cellar.
