Champagne François Secondé

    This estate is the sole independent grower or RM (Récoltant-Manipulant) in Sillery Grand Cru. Yet this village in the 17th century was, with Aÿ, the most famous Champagne wine, then mostly still, not bubbly. Sillery, on the northern Montagne de Reims, normally Pinot Noir central, grows more (48%) Chardonnay than any grand cru outside the Côte des Blancs, along with Pinot Noir (43%) and Meunier (9%).  The Chardonnay here shows in the light persistence and delicacy with power that make up several of the Secondé wines. Chardonnay makes up one third of the estate.  Of their total 5.5ha, 73% is in Sillery, the rest in nearby grands crus Verzenay, Mailly, Verzy and Puisieulx. The vintage Blanc de Blancs and the Blanc de Noirs  La Loge , are the only 100% Sillery Grand Cru champagnes now made.  Sadly, Francois Secondé, the estate founder (above), died suddenly on April 27th 2018 and is much missed. The estate continues its work under Jerome Groslambert who has been winemaker here since 2009.  

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