Mit Naturkork gereift

Reife unter Kork (sous liège) war in früherer Zeit das normale Verfahren, erst später kam der effizientere Kronkorken zum Einsatz. Immer mehr Winzer nutzen nun wieder dieses Verfahren, um eine stärkere Mikro-Oxidation zu erzeugen, die ein reichhaltigeres, vielschichtigeres Aromenspiel hervorbringt. Insbesondere Biodynamiker mögen es, weil Kork ein natürliches Material ist, anders als der beschichtete Kronkorken.

Die Gegenfraktion unserer Winzer bringt die folgenden Argumente ins Spiel: sie bevorzugen einen möglichst präzisen, geschliffenen Champagner ohne oxidative Noten. Außerdem sei jeder Korken anders, die Mikro-Oxidation greife zu stark in den Geschmack ein, so dass jede Flasche anders schmeckt. Und natürlich ist die Gefahr von Korkfehlern doppelt so hoch bei doppelten Kosten und doppeltem Aufwand: der Kork wird oft mit der Hand verschnürt oder der Drahtbügel von Hand angebracht.

Ein Winzer meinte und er bestätigt damit aktuelle Forschungen: er verwende die Korkreifung für Champagner die sehr lange im Weingut reifen. Er habe festgestellt, dass in den ersten Jahren Kronkork den Wein besser von der Außenwelt abschirmt, ist jedoch ein gewisses Niveau in der Flasche erreicht, schütze Kork besser vor Oxidation. Es bleibt spannend und das Thema Wein wird auch in 1000 Jahren nicht zu Ende erforscht sein!

William Saintot Meuniers de mes Grands-Pères Millésime 2019

100% Pinot Meunier Dosage: 2g/l Expansion in steel tank Without filtering 40 months bottle aging Agend unter natural cork (sous liège) Tasting: Balanced and fresh on the palate, with nuances of yellow fruit, caramel and honey.

Content: 0.75 Liter (€72.00* / 1 Liter)

€54.00*

William Saintot Millesime 2018

50% Chardonnay, 50% Pinot Noir Dosage: 4g/l Alcoholic fermentation in 35% oak barrels and 65% steel tanks No clarification and filtrationMatured under natural cork (sous liège) Nicola OCT24: Powerful, expressive, expressive, but balanced, aromatic, slightly chocolaty in the aftertaste.Tilman OCT24: Compared to the other cuvées, the nose is clearly more intense, more oxidative, generous, but always fresh, very good length, summarises the Saintot style very well.Fabio OCT24: Complex on the nose, finer yeast notes, taut acidity, elegant perlage, with length and pressure.

Content: 0.75 Liter (€74.00* / 1 Liter)

€55.50*

Leclaire Thiefaine Cuvée 00 Terre Blanche "Liège"

100% ChardonnayFrom Premier Cru vineyards at Côte des BlancsMore than 2 years of bottle agingAged under natural cork (sous liège)Dosage: 4 g/lWith reserve wines from three older vintages (released in 2025, e.g., with 2016, 2017, and 2018)

Content: 0.75 Liter (€77.33* / 1 Liter)

€58.00*

Leclaire Thiefaine Cuvée 01 Le Grand Cru d'Avize "Liège"

100% Chardonnay from the Grand Cru vineyards of Avize > 4 years bottle aging on the lees Agend unter natural cork (sous liège) Dosage: 4 g/l

Content: 0.75 Liter (€88.00* / 1 Liter)

€66.00*

William Saintot La Côte de Chignon

100% Pinot Noir Single vineyard Côte de Chignon in the municipality of Avenay val d'Or (planted in 1982) Southern orientation Dosage: 0.65 g/l 78 months bottle aging Aging in oak barrelsMatured under natural cork (sous liège) Only about 500 bottles! Nicola OKT24: Super complex, really full-bodied and ultra-long finish, somewhat herbal. Balanced strong, spicy but also fresh flavours. Salty flavours.Tilman OKT24: Distinctive fruit, but very well supported by yeast, nice length. Fruit turns into spice with air, very well structured, good use of wood, nice length, inviting but demanding, very good!Fabio OKT24: Compared to the other cuvées, somewhat wilder, yet restrained, super freshness on the palate, very light tannin, complex, vinous character, nice length.

Content: 0.75 Liter (€98.67* / 1 Liter)

€74.00*

Leclaire Thiefaine Cuvée 03 Constantin Grand Cru de Cramant V.V. "Liège"

100% Chardonnay From the Grand Cru vineyards of Cramant (old vines) Vinified in wooden barrels for 9 months > 5 years bottle aging on the leesMatured under natural cork (sous liège) Dosage: 2 g/l Named after a son of the family This cuvée is made from grapes grown on the estate's oldest plots, selected with the greatest care to bring out the unique nuances of the terroir (Le Grand Cru de Cramant) of the Côte des Blancs. Aromas of fresh fruit and a creamy-mineral persistence are supported by toasted notes. Gripping on the palate with a fresh minerality. Nicola FEB24: Minimal sherry note, matured, with a finish of salted caramel. Moritz FEB24: Despite the beautiful maturity (slight oxidative notes), the Cuvée Constantin appears quite austere. Wet stones, citric, but also aromas like white almond and salted caramel are found. On the palate, the aromas from the nose appear somewhat more tart under the present acidity. The long finish leaves a nicely chalky/mineral aftertaste, which gives the champagne even more grip and length. Nicola JUN22: Perhaps the most chalky, mineral from the range, but again that lovely ripened fruit note. Exciting mildly spicy complex tone. On the 3rd day: racy, spicy notes, strong character with enormous drinking flow. Moritz OCT22: The rich style of Leclaire-Thiefaine is conveyed most strongly in Cuvée 03 Constantin. The slightly oxidative nose shows a wonderfully profound spice and orange fruit. On the palate, an interplay of aromas of orange citrus fruits, spice and light notes of brioche is carried by the incredibly elegant perlage. A champagne that hugs you and won't let go.

Content: 0.75 Liter (€106.67* / 1 Liter)

€80.00*

William Saintot La Tortelue

100% Pinot Noir Vintage: 2014 Dosage: 2g/l Spontaneous fermentation Unfiltered Min. 6 years bottle ageing Maturation: 100% small oak barrels for min. 8 monthsMatured under natural cork (sous liège) La Tortelue comes from a single vineyard with south-west exposure with a limestone clay soil. The rows are planted with vegetation all year round.

Content: 0.75 Liter (€112.00* / 1 Liter)

€84.00*

Grumier Soléra Extra Brut

33% Pinot Meunier, 33% Pinot Noir, 34% Chardonnay Dosage: 2,4g/l 100% reserve wines from a Perpetuum reserve (2005-2014) Vinification 100% in oak barrels With malolactic fermentationMatured under natural cork (sous liège) Lukas FEB23: In the nose very intense and very complex, lots of spiciness with light herbal notes. In the mouth very full-bodied, juicy apple and juicy red cherry; very nice, present acidity. Long finish, needs air and then shows its full potential.

Content: 0.75 Liter (€160.00* / 1 Liter)

€120.00*