Champagne Vouette et Sorbée
Champagne house in Champagne.
- Cuvées in the guide
- 7
Vouette & Sorbée is a pioneering biodynamic champagne producer in Buxières-sur-Arce (Côte des Bar, Champagne), founded by Bertrand Gautherot, who carried out the full conversion to biodynamics in 1998 (Demeter certification).
History
Gautherot, a former product developer in the luxury industry (including for Chanel and Dior), returned in 1993 to his family land in the Aube. Disappointed by the quality of the wine produced by the local cooperative, he decided to take back control of his terroir. After being persuaded by Anselme Selosse, he vinified for the first time himself in 2001, which marked the official start of the estate as an independent champagne house.
Vineyards
The estate covers 5 hectares spread over various lieux-dits, characterised by two types of Jurassic soils:
- Kimméridgien (75%): A fossil-rich clay-limestone (Exogyra Virgula) that is geologically very similar to that of Chablis. Important plots are Vouette and Biaunes.
- Portlandien (25%): A harder limestone, mainly present on the Sorbée plot.
The grape varieties are Pinot Noir (dominant) and Chardonnay, with a very limited amount of Pinot Blanc. The vineyards lie on steep slopes, where the grapes are harvested exclusively by hand.
Working Methods
Vouette & Sorbée is known for its radical, minimal intervention in the cellar:
- Biodynamics & Organic: No synthetic chemicals; the estate keeps its own cattle for manure and biodiversity.
- Natural Vinification: Fermentation exclusively with indigenous yeasts; no chaptalisation, filtration or acidification.
- Finishing without Dosage: All the champagnes are Brut Nature (or Extra Brut), without the addition of liqueur de dosage, apart from rare exceptions.
- Élevage: The wines age in wood (oak barrels) or in amphorae (qvevri), with a minimal addition of SO₂ only at pressing.
Champagnes (Cuvées)
Production is very limited (approx. 25,000 bottles/year) and consists of the following main lines:
- Fidèle: 100% Pinot Noir, the core of the range.
- Blanc d'Argile: 100% Chardonnay, from the calcareous clay soil of Biaunes.
- Saignée de Sorbée: A rosé of 100% Pinot Noir, made via carbonic maceration and vinification in wood.
- Textures: A rare 100% Pinot Blanc, fermented and aged in Georgian amphorae.
- Extrait & Sobre: Ultra-limited edition cuvées (sometimes only 200 bottles), including Sobre, an experimental Chardonnay without the addition of sugar for the second fermentation.
Cuvées by Vouette et Sorbée
Importers
Vouette et Sorbée is imported by: HermanWines, Troppo Giovane.
Where it is sold
Shops and wholesalers carrying Vouette et Sorbée: HermanWines, Troppo Giovane.
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