Veuve Fourny & Fils
Champagne Veuve Fourny & Fils is relatively new to the KLWM portfolio, although it has been an active family domaine since 1856. The estate is located in the prestigious Côte des Blancs, in the premier cru village of Vertus, an appellation that gives them the rare opportunity to grow Pinot Noir as well as Chardonnay. Brothers Charles-Henry and Emmanuel Fourny sustainably farm nearly nine hectares of vineyards and have been carrying on the family winegrowing tradition since 1993. Their “Clos Faubourg Notre Dame” is a rare jewel in Champagne, primarily due to the fact that there are few existing clos parcels left in the region. In this walled plot of land, their older vines benefit from a unique microclimate with deep, chalky subsoil and clay and limestone deposits. Southeastern sun exposure optimizes grape maturity in an area of France where ripe grapes are a precious commodity. Their other vineyards share the soil composition of the clos and get east, southeast and southern sun exposure.
Veuve
Fourny produces classic grower Champagne, raising pedigreed fruit, adhering to
high standards, and hand-crafting wines that showcase the chalky terroir of Vertus. All of the Fournys’
vineyards are farmed according to the same meticulous practices and principles,
and each parcel is vinified individually. The Brut ages in
their cellars for two and a half years before release, the vintage Champagne for five
years, and the Clos for nine years. The house style at Veuve Fourny is best
characterized as classic Côte des Blancs: a fine bead, rich, deep aromatics,
and a complex minerality emphasizing freshness and purity. The Fournys believe
in minimal dosage for all of their
Champagnes, preferring to let the individual terroirs express themselves more clearly. This technique, in
addition to their dedication to partial malolactic fermentations in their
overall blends, impeccable vineyard management, and their decision to age most
base wine partially in barrel, all contribute to their unique style.
Champagne Veuve Fourny & Fils is relatively new to the KLWM portfolio, although it has been an active family domaine since 1856. The estate is located in the prestigious Côte des Blancs, in the premier cru village of Vertus, an appellation that gives them the rare opportunity to grow Pinot Noir as well as Chardonnay. Brothers Charles-Henry and Emmanuel Fourny sustainably farm nearly nine hectares of vineyards and have been carrying on the family winegrowing tradition since 1993. Their “Clos Faubourg Notre Dame” is a rare jewel in Champagne, primarily due to the fact that there are few existing clos parcels left in the region. In this walled plot of land, their older vines benefit from a unique microclimate with deep, chalky subsoil and clay and limestone deposits. Southeastern sun exposure optimizes grape maturity in an area of France where ripe grapes are a precious commodity. Their other vineyards share the soil composition of the clos and get east, southeast and southern sun exposure.
Veuve Fourny produces classic grower Champagne, raising pedigreed fruit, adhering to high standards, and hand-crafting wines that showcase the chalky terroir of Vertus. All of the Fournys’ vineyards are farmed according to the same meticulous practices and principles, and each parcel is vinified individually. The Brut ages in their cellars for two and a half years before release, the vintage Champagne for five years, and the Clos for nine years. The house style at Veuve Fourny is best characterized as classic Côte des Blancs: a fine bead, rich, deep aromatics, and a complex minerality emphasizing freshness and purity. The Fournys believe in minimal dosage for all of their Champagnes, preferring to let the individual terroirs express themselves more clearly. This technique, in addition to their dedication to partial malolactic fermentations in their overall blends, impeccable vineyard management, and their decision to age most base wine partially in barrel, all contribute to their unique style.
Technical Information
Wine | Blend | Vine Age | Soil Type | Vineyard Area* |
---|---|---|---|---|
Vertus Extra-Brut 1er Cru Blanc de Blancs |
Chardonnay | 40 years | Chalk, Limestone | 4 ha |
Vertus Brut Nature 1er Cru Blanc de Blancs |
Chardonnay | 40 years average | Chalk, Limestone | 1.5 ha |
Vertus Brut “Grands Terroirs” 1er Cru |
80% Chardonnay, 20% Pinot Noir | 30 years | Chalk, Limestone | 4.5 ha |
Vertus Extra Brut “Cuvée R” 1er Cru |
Chardonnay | 50 years average | Chalk, Limestone | 1 ha |
NV Vertus “Extra Dry” 1er Cru |
50% Chardonnay, 50% Pinot Noir | 40 years | Clay, Limestone, Chalk | 1 ha |
Vertus Rosé Brut 1er Cru |
50% Chardonnay, 50% Pinot Noir | 40 years | Chalk, Limestone | 2 ha |
Vertus Rosé Extra Brut 1er Cru “Les Monts de Vertus” |
Pinot Noir | 15 years | Red clay, limestone | .22 ha |
Rosé Extra Brut 1er Cru “Vinothèque” Millésimé |
50% Chardonnay, 35% Blanc de Pinot Noir, 15% Rouge de Pinot Noir | 50 years | Chalk | 0.5 ha |
Vertus Extra Brut 1er Cru “Monts de Vertus” Millésimé |
Chardonnay | 50 years average | Chalk, Limestone | .80 ha |
Vertus Extra Brut 1er Cru “Cuvée du Clos Notre Dame” Millésimé |
Chardonnay | 60 years average | Chalk, Limestone | .23 ha |
Vertus Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut “R” 20 ans d’âge 1er Cru |
Chardonnay | 50 years | Chalk | n/a |
* "ha" = hectares; one hectare equals roughly two and a half acres |
VITICULTURE / VINIFICATION
• Sustainably farmed, organically fertilized, harvested by hand
• For a long, slow fermentation, the must is fermented at cool temperatures in stainless steel cuves
• The lees are stirred regularly
• 70% wine aged in temperature controlled cuve, 30% aged in Burgundian barrels on the lees for 6 months
• The Fournys almost always blend wines that have gone through malolactic fermentation with wines that have not, preferring their blends to have both roundness and freshness
NV Extra-Brut Blanc de Blancs 1er Cru :
• 1/4 of the cuvée goes through malolactic fermentation• Aged 24 months on lees
• Current disgorgement: Stamped on bottle
• Vintages in the current disgorgement: 2019 and reserve wines 2018, 2017, 2016
• Dosage 6 grams/liter
NV Blanc de Blancs Brut Nature 1er Cru :
• Aged 24 months on lees• Current disgorgement: Stamped on bottle
• Vintages in the current disgorgement: 2019 and reserve wines 2018, 2017, 2016
• No dosage
NV Brut “Grande Terroirs” 1er Cru :
• Sourced from the premier cru village Cuis and the grand cru villages Chouilly, Oger, Cramant, and Mesnil• ¼ of cuvée goes through malolactic fermentation
• Aged 24 months on lees
• Current disgorgement: Stamped on bottle
• Vintages in the current disgorgement: 2019 and reserve wines 2018, 2017, 2016
• Dosage 6 grams/liter
NV “Cuvée R” Extra Brut 1er Cru :
• Aged 18 months, sur lie, in Burgundian barrels (between 3-15 years old)• Goes through malolactic fermentation
• Not filtered
• Ages for at least 4 years in bottle before release
• One of the domaine’s flagship cuvées, named after the Fourny’s father, Roger
• Typically a blend of two vintages to combine richness with finesse
• Current disgorgement: Stamped on bottle
• Vintages in the current disgorgement: 2016, 2015
• Dosage approximately 3-4 grams/liter
NV “Extra Dry” 1er Cru :
• Ages for 2 ½ years before release• A perfect dessert Champagne
• Current disgorgement: Stamped on bottle
• Vintages in the current disgorgement: 2012, 2011, 2010
• Dosage approximately 17 grams/liter
NV Rosé Brut 1er Cru :
• 30% of Chardonnay is reserve wine• Chardonnay and half the Blanc de Pinot Noir undergo malolactic fermentation
• Direct Press
• Cuvée is raised entirely in Burgundian barrels
• Ages in bottle for 2 years before release
• Current disgorgement: Stamped on bottle
• Vintages in the current disgorgement: 2019 and reserve wines 2018, 2017, 2016
• Dosage is 6 grams/liter
NV Rosé Extra Brut 1er Cru “Les Monts de Vertus”:
• Aged 4-5 years on lees
• Current disgorgement: Stamped on bottle
• Vintages in the current disgorgement: 2017
• Dosage is 3 grams/liter (extra brut)
Rosé Extra Brut 1er Cru “Vinothèque” Millésimé :
• Direct press for the Chardonnay and Blanc de Pinot Noir, short maceration for the Rouge de Pinot Noir
• Chardonnay and the Blanc de Pinot Noir complete malolactic fermentation, the Rouge de Pinot noir does not
• After blending, wine is aged for 7 months on the lees, in Burgundian barrels
• Ages in bottle for 4 years before release
• Current disgorgement: Stamped on bottle
• Dosage is 3-4 grams/liter (extra brut)
Vertus Extra-Brut 1er Cru “Monts de Vertus” Millésimé :
• Produced only in the best vintages from their best Chardonnay vines• Wine typically does not go through malolactic fermentation, but it depends on the vintage
• Ages for at least 5 years in bottle before release
• Current disgorgement: Stamped on bottle
• Dosage is 3 grams/liter (extra-brut)
Vertus Extra Brut 1er Cru "Cuvée du Clos Notre Dame" Millésimé:
• The tête de cuvée of Champagne Veuve Fourny of 100% Chardonnay, all sourced from a small, walled-in clos right next to their winery in Vertus, planted with their oldest vines in pure chalk• Wine goes through malolactic fermentation, vinified in barrel
• Only released in special years after aging for at least 9 years in bottle
• Incredible capacity for aging
• Current disgorgement: Stamped on bottle
• Dosage approximately 3 grams/liter
Vertus Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut “R” 20 ans d’âge 1er Cru
• A blend of two consecutive vintages
• Base wine is vinified in oak casks for 18 months, then ages for a minimum of twenty years on the lees
• Current disgorgement: Stamped on bottle
• Dosage approximately 3 grams/liter
General Information
- Country
- France
- Region
- Champagne
- Appellation(s)
- Champagne
- Producer
- Charles and Emmanuel Fourny
- Founded
- 1856
- Annual Production
- 12,500 cases