Many think that the first French sparkling wines were produced in Champagne, but this distinction belongs to the Limoux region. The Bereche estate began producing champagne back in 1847. Over time, they decided to stop working with large companies in the wine trade, preferring the family aspect. They shared roles – Raphael works in the cellar and Vincent works in the vineyards – and it was on a particularly sunny June day that we met Raphael to learn more about this ambitious home.
Unusually, Raphael and Vincent even take a one-village approach with their vintage Le Cran champagne, which is equally Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from the best places in Luda. So magically intense and rich, but not heavy is the expression of the Ludes of Le Crans, which is created every year as a “true image of the terroir” in this particular growing season. An example of harmony, nuance, and inspiration, it is a pure expression of the various terroirs of the estates, demonstrating both the high skill of the Bereche brothers and their originality. Bereche Brut Reserve is a blend of 65% base-year wines (2017) with wines from the Solera Balance Reserve.
While most readers probably associate Bereche with some of their high-quality bottles, Brut Reserve is a true rock star. The range starts with Brut Riserva, a blend of 70% of the base year wines with balanced reserve wines that make up about one-third of each of the three main grape varieties. Online wine auctions try to give a clear idea of the personality of its village, seen through the lens of Bereche, and each is unique champagne. Probably the most original of this range of unique champagnes is Reflet d’Antan, one-third of each Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, and Chardonnay, sourced from a permanent stock of 600-liter barrels begun in 1985 by Raphael and Vincent’s father, Jean-Pierre
They can be blended or bottled as separate varietal champagnes, depending on the final wine style desired. Whether white or rosé, most champagne is made from a mixture of red and white grapes, and a unique rose is often made by mixing red and white wine. Champagne is often a mixture of Pinot Noir Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier, the bubbles of which are formed by the second fermentation in the bottle. Any other sparkling wine produced outside of this region is sparkling wine, even if its name contains the word “champagne”.
The fruit of this wine comes exclusively from the Grand Cru in Le Mesnil-sur-Oger. Champagne is complemented with a slightly more wine and sugar mixture called dosage (or simply wine in natural dry brut champagne) to round out the flavor and give the wine the desired level of sweetness.
The second fermentation in the bottle makes this wine produced by the Champagne method or the Champagne method. It is believed that the cork stopper can let more oxygen into the wine during the second fermentation process so that the champagne has more delicate bubbles and a seamless texture. They believe this will allow more oxygen to enter the wine during the second fermentation, resulting in champagne with finer bubbles and seamless texture. Champagne was originally a mixture of still wines, usually Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Noir, and bubbles were formed in a process called the Champagne method or the Champagne method.
The result is wines that people just love, no matter how extravagant they are. Their wines are some of the brightest, most detailed, and expressive bottles on the market today and always resonate every time we pour them for someone new. Their passionate worship grows with each release of their wines and we always hire as many as possible. The Bereche brothers adore their work, and their love for the family vineyards and respect for terroir-oriented champagne is evident not only in their liveliness but especially in the quality of their wines.
A few decades ago, my grandfather produced only 20,000 bottles; their parents increased their production to 80,000 bottles; and today the Bereche brothers, with the help of ten workers employed in the vineyard, produce more than 110,000 bottles of champagne a year. The winery of Rafael Brace and his son is one of the most attractive boutique wineries in the region, with very few bottles produced, and you have to work hard to find them.
However, it was the pioneering work of the young Raphael and Vincent Bereche that made the house one of the most talked-about champagne houses, first among French sommeliers, caves, and connoisseurs, and now their counterparts in the United States. Building on a solid foundation of traditional champagne production from their father, Jean-Pierre, the brothers have become two of the region’s most voracious winemakers. The Bereche & Fils Brut is a good example of champagne created by a manufacturer who takes a different approach.
They do not use commercial yeast, malolactic fermentation is inhibited for everything except reserve wines, the lees are aged for three to eight years (“to promote terroir expression”), and all bottles are opened but no. Wild fermentation is the norm, and more and more often champagne is aged under oak for a long time: about three-quarters of the wines are now vinified in 350-liter barrels, tails in 205-liter barrels, and reserve wines in semi-dry barrels. 600 liters. And the aging process takes place under the cork to further develop the character and aromatic complexity that this gives the wines.
It is based on a cooler 2013 vintage with 30% wine stock added to the blend. Two-thirds of it is Pinot Noir, including a small percentage of calm wine for color, with a Chardonnay balance. A light, soft and affordable wine, served at a temperature of 8 to 10 ° C. A wine that will perform well on its own and go well with lighter seafood.
The ideal disposable bottle is used almost exclusively for sparkling wines. Named after the Assyrian king, this large format can hold an entire box of wine in one bottle. From the charming little profile to the titanic Nebuchadnezzar, the wine is poured into a dizzying assortment of pitchers of varying sizes.
These bottles are mainly used by large champagne factories for large quantities of sparkling wine. Although there is no official name, from half-bottle to full, this format is mainly used for Tokaj, Sauternes, and many other sweet wines. While most champagne comes in a standard 750ml bottle, there are champagne bottles in a variety of sizes to suit your holiday needs.
Alternatively, those looking to send a personalized gift can do so with our gift boxes or by sending a bottle of Bereche & Fils champagne packed in luxurious packaging. Browse our full range of Champagne and bring home a couple of bottles of the finest Brut Champagne from France. Check out our Sparkling Wine & Sparkling Wine Guide to learn more about all the best styles of sparkling wines and champagnes, including our favorite brut and rosé champagnes. Our team is based in Melbourne under the leadership of Kayla Kirkpatrick, The Champagne Dame, and their deep knowledge of the region and its producers ensures that our customers can expect and receive truly unique bottles of the best champagne on the planet.
