CHAMPAGNE EGLY-OURIET
With just under 12 hectares of Grand Cru vineyards and a growing cult following backed by glowing accolades, Egly-Ouriet is making waves in the Champagne world.
Run by the family’s fourth generation, Francis Egly takes pride in managing the vineyards in as natural a way as possible without labelling himself officially organic or biodynamic. He has in his time increased production of the estate. When his grandfather was at the helm in the 50’s he was only producing enough to give out bottles to family and friends. One of his practices is to harvest a little later than is usual. He feels this gives the grapes more time to achieve greater ripeness and flavour and although high acidity plays an important part of champagne development, he feels it doesn’t need to be as high as has been historically believed and that the downfall of champagne sometimes is its lack of maturity.
Tyson Stelzer, acclaimed wine critic and Champagne expert, has in 2018, named Egly-Ouriet as one of the Top 4 Producers in Champagne, earning a top score of 10/10 – rubbing shoulders with Krug and Bollinger.
“These are ravishingly vinous sparkling wines, consistently among the most exactingly balanced of Champagne’s power set, handcrafted by a creative, thoughtful artisan… To uphold the calibre of his non-vintage cuvées even in the wake of the harrowing 2011 season calls for wizardry I have witnessed from no other grower or house. On this basis, Egly-Ouriet remains the finest grower in Champagne right now, and my only 10/10 grower.” – Tyson Stelzer, Acclaimed Wine Writer; ‘2018-2019 The Champagne Guide’
You can read more about this fine Champagne house here.