Champagne Pascal Agrapart
Champagne house in Avize, Côte des Blancs.
- Village
- Avize (Grand Cru)
- Region
- Côte des Blancs
- Type of house
- RM · Récoltant Manipulant
- Cuvées in the guide
- 12
Champagne Pascal Agrapart is a traditional Récoltant-Manipulant house in Avize, in the heart of the Côte des Blancs, which has existed since 1894 and is currently run by the fourth generation, Pascal Agrapart, with the support of his son Ambroise. The history began with Arthur Agrapart, who started wine production in the late 19th century; the estate was expanded by his grandson Pierre in the 1950s-1960s and since 1984 it has been managed by Pascal, who centralised the philosophy of terroir expression and plot-by-plot work.
Vineyards and Terroir The estate manages 12 hectares of vineyards, mainly spread over the Grand Cru villages of Avize, Cramant, Oger and Oiry, with some Premier Cru plots. The vineyards consist of 62 individual plots with an average vine age of 35 to 40 years (some older than 60 years) and are predominantly planted with Chardonnay, complemented by Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, and rare old varieties such as Arbane and Petit Meslier.
Approach and Philosophy Pascal Agrapart follows a natural and biodynamic approach without official certification, but with strict principles:
- Soil management: The estate uses horse traction for ploughing the soil so that the roots grow deeper towards the chalk layer, and applies local compost annually to stimulate soil vitality.
- Vinification: Natural yeast is used without additives, no chaptalisation, and a minimal input of sulphur (under 20 mg/L).
- Bottles: The champagnes are not filtered or fined, are riddled by hand and bottled on the estate, with a minimum of two months' ageing on the lees before disgorgement.
Champagnes and Cuvées The portfolio consists of seven cuvées, all with minimal dosage (often 0-5 g/L) to emphasise the terroir:
- 7 Crus: An accessible blend of seven villages (4 Grand Cru, 2 Premier Cru) with 90% Chardonnay.
- Terroirs: A blend of Grand Cru Chardonnay, often raised in old oak barrels.
- Complantée: A unique blend of six different grape varieties (including Arbane and Petit Meslier) from Avize.
- Millésimés (Vintages): Three specific cuvées that reflect the geology of particular plots:
- Minéral: From chalky, shallow soils in Avize and Cramant.
- Avizoise: From deeper clay-limestone soils in Avize, for a rounder style.
- Vénus: A monopole of 60 ares in Avize, worked entirely by hand and horse, often Brut Nature (no dosage).
- Expérience: A Brut Nature from old vineyards in Avize, made without any external additions.
Cuvées by Pascal Agrapart
Where it is sold
Shops and wholesalers carrying Pascal Agrapart: Arentz Wijnen (Wijnhandel Marcel Arentz), Bottle Hero.
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