Location and vineyards
Champagne Pascal Doquet is based in Vertus in the growing region Champagne in France. The vineyards are spread across the southern Côte des Blancs and the chalky terroirs of the Coteaux Vitryats. The estate includes, among others, sites in Vertus, Le Mont Aimé, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Bergères-les-Vertus and in the Perthois near Vitry-le-François.
Organic farming
The winery has been certified as organic since the 2010 vintage; the certified area comprises 100 percent of the designated 8.69 hectares. Since 2001, the soil has been worked again without herbicides, and chemical treatments have also been omitted. Use is made of compost produced on site as well as natural plant-based treatments, intended to reduce the use of copper and sulphur. Harvesting is done by hand.
Grape varieties and wine style
Around 95 percent of the vineyard area is made up of Chardonnay and 5 percent Pinot Noir. The range includes Blanc-de-Blancs cuvées as well as a rosé made from Pinot Noir from Vertus and Bergères-les-Vertus. The Côte des Blancs holdings include Premier Cru sites in Vertus and at Le Mont Aimé, as well as Grand Cru areas in Le Mesnil-sur-Oger.
Vinification and history
In 2004, Pascal Doquet became independent from the family business and, together with his wife Laure, founded the eponymous range. The terroirs are vinified separately, including separate village-based vintage cuvées from the Cœur de Terroir range. The fermentations take place with indigenous yeasts; since 2016 this has also applied to the second fermentation. Around 50 percent of the wines mature in wood. The ageing takes place on fine lees; after disgorging, the dosage is carried out without a dosing liqueur, with a moderate amount of concentrated grape must.
