Champagne Laherte Frères, Chavot, NM

Farming organically wines of extraordinary quality – all 7 grape varieties 

Champagne Laherte is a cutting edge artisan, grower producer family, based in Chavot since 1889. Chavot is just to the south of Epernay, in a sector known as the Coteaux Sud d’Epernay.

Firmly environmental (farming organically, following biodynamic principles) since 2005, Aurélien Laherte, a very talented winemaker in the 7th generation, is making progress year on year and you get quickly drawn into these wines for their intense acidity, their long, mineral-laden finishes, and the variety of cuvées. Laherte uses all 7 grapes, the three known ones : Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, but also the long forgotten ones : Pinot Gris (Fromenteau), Petit Meslier, Arbanne and Pinot Blanc.

The variety of different champagnes on offer is truly breathtaking. Laherte does so many things well, from his pure Meunier, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay lieu-dit wines to different Rosés styles to his Les 7 bottling, which is a blend of all seven permitted grapes.

The cultivation of the vineyards is very traditional, some plots are even plowed with horses. The house’s relentless pursuit of perfection has always subordinated economic considerations to the production of flawless end products.

The wines are vinified separately by plot and always fermented with natural yeasts. Malolactic fermentation is partially carried out. The winemaking process is highly modern, with a recently completed full renovation of all facilities. The traditional wooden Coquard Champagne press is, of course, still in use, along with the aging of base wines in 300-liter Burgundian-style oak barrels, large casks, or concrete tanks.

Fermentation in oak barrels imparts the champagnes a complexity, softness and length which is unparalleled. The Champagnes are of little or no dosage (sugar addition), to allow the wines to show the purest expression of their terroir. All bottles are carefully disgorged by hand. The range of Champagnes is of extraordinary quality across the board and the annual production is as little as approx. 110’000 bottles.

Link to the Laherte Frères Website

order champagne Laherte online to any address in Switzerland at www.the-champagne.ch