New vintages and new packaging for their Les Caractères Range announced. Peter Morrell gets a taste

Founded in Ville-sur-Arce in 1956 by five pioneers, the Chassenay d’Arce House now counts some 130 families and three generations of winemakers producing Champagne. The original operations continue with the same spirit of cooperation, solidarity, and knowledge sharing.

The Chassenay d’Arce wine region covers 315 hectares and 14 villages in the heart of the Côte des Bar, along the Arce River. The region is shaped by a unique landscape alternating between vineyards and forests, it is also characterized by a diverse variety of grapes and by the integrated cultivation that is practised.

The spirit of the Chassenay d’Arce House is a combination of a family spirit, the spirit of the terroir and the high standards shared by the winemakers to ensure that only champagnes of the greatest quality are produced.

The Côte des Bar

Chassenay d’Arce champagnes are an expression of the specific terroir of the Côte des Bar and its Kimmeridgian soil that was once covered by the sea. As the seasons pass, the vine trunks grow, the clusters take on colour and the vintages are developed.

The Arce Valley is located at the southern end of Champagne, close to Burgundy. The mild climate, the grapevines’ exposure, and the types of soils (here, the roots of the vine stock dig into the stony marl) allow the fruit to be harvested at full maturity towards the end of summer.

Chardonnay 2017: a champagne that will appeal to novices and connoisseurs alike. Chardonnay, which is rarely found on the Côte des Bar, is given pride of place in this exclusive cuvée.

On the nose, delicate notes of flowers and frangipane intertwine with woody nuances of coffee and vanilla, adding extra indulgence. On the palate, a perfect balance between delicacy and roundness offers flavours of ripe white fruit, underlined by a lively citrus finish, adding a pleasant salinity.

Pinot Noir 2015: the harmony between the richness of the grape variety and the freshness of the terroir. This Blanc de Noirs cuvée highlights the emblematic grape variety of the Côte des Bar: Pinot Noir.

Pinot Blanc 2015: a balanced structure and remarkable length. This exclusive cuvée of Pinot Blanc, from the unique terroir of the Arce valley, seduces with its delicate aromas of white flowers and toasty notes. On the palate, the freshness and liveliness of the grape variety are gently expressed through nuances of white fruit and citrus

Peter Morrell, Editor comments “I have been a long-time fan of Chassenay d’Arce Champagnes, and the quality of the latest released vintages is amongst the best.

“I have recently tasted their single varietal Pinot Noir Extra Brut 2015, it’s a combination power and elegance, and emblematic of the Arce Valley terroir.

“The champagne pours a light-yellow colour and the fast-moving stream of fine beads indicates its dryness, these small bubbles create a good mousse on the surface. The bouquet has pleasing aromas of ripe summer fruits with strawberries being the most intense.

“In the mouth it has a light, very dry feel with a touch of acidity which doesn’t detract from its overall smoothness. On the palate there are hints of crunchy fruit that combine well with the strawberry flavours. In the background smoky notes and vanilla come from time spent in oak barrels.

“The finish is bright, uplifting and fruity, and the overall drinking experience is excellent. The Chassenay d’Arce Pinot Noir Extra Brut 2015 is the ideal pre-dinner drink and would pair well with salads and seafood.”

The range is available in the UK from good wine merchants.