Location and history
Champagne Laurent Lequart is a family winery in Passy-Grigny in the Vallée de la Marne, in Champagne, France. In 1987, Laurent Lequart took over a family plot measuring 0.7023 hectares, harvested for the first time in September 1988 and set the first Tirage of the Laurent Lequart brand in motion in 1989. Viticulture extends across four generations.
Terroir and viticulture
Passy-Grigny is described as a place with exceptional sunshine and a natural limestone outcrop. The vineyards cover 11.40 hectares and, depending on the plot or cuvée, have clay-limestone, marly or clay-sandy soils. They have been farmed since 1988 according to the principles of sustainable viticulture; the estate has HVE and VDC certifications. Harvesting is done manually.
Grape varieties and wine styles
Pinot Meunier accounts for around 80 percent of the vineyard area and is the winery’s most important grape variety. In addition, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are grown, including for single-varietal cuvées. The range includes the styles Brut, Extra Brut, Brut Nature and Doux. The Cuvée Prestige Pur Meunier is a Champagne made from 100 percent Pinot Meunier in the Extra Brut style.
Vinification
The wines are vinified by the producers’ cooperative in Passy-Grigny, which uses a modern pressing centre and temperature-controlled tanks. Vinification in stainless-steel tanks is documented, as is fermentation or ageing in oak barrels, as well as different processes for biological acid breakdown depending on the cuvée. In selected wines, bâtonnage is used.
