Etienne Calsac Champagne 'L'Echappée Belle' Extra Brut

Type

Sparkling Wine

Appellation

Champagne

Variety

100% Chardonnay

'L’Echappée Belle' translates to 'The Great Escape.' 70% of the base wine comes from the village of Grauves, known for its cooler microclimate. The vineyards were planted by Etienne’s grandparents, who are both from Grauves. Beginning in 2011, Etienne has kept a perpetual reserve just for this cuvée, and 30% of the final blend of 'L’Echappée Belle' is produced with reserve wine.

Viticulture

Vineyard name

Blend of parcels from Grauves, Avize, and Bisseuil.

Soil type

Clay-limestone (Grauves, Avize) / Chalk (Bisseuil)

Vines planted in1980s, 1990s

Vineyard size2.05 ha

ExpositionNorthwest

Altitude150m

Vinification

Fruit is direct pressed and fermented with native yeasts mostly in stainless steel tanks, with 25% done in 300-600L barrels. 38 mg/L of SO2 used at press.

ElevagePost-malolactic fermentation, the wine ages in a combination of tank and barrel on its fine lees for 7 months prior to bottling. The wine is then aged for 18-24 months in bottle before disgorgement.

Harvest typeHand Harvested

Additional info

Total production average15,000 bottles

UPC Code Bottle046139084702

Downloads

Packshot Label Tech-sheet

More about
the producer

Champagne Etienne Calsac

Founded in 2010

3 hectares

In 2010, at the age of 26, Etienne Calsac decided to take control of his grandparents’ three hectares of vineyards scattered in and around Avize, which had previously been rented out to the grandes maisons. Chez Calsac, stewardship of the terroir is the basis for great Champagne, so Etienne set out to ensure that all the vineyards are planted with grass cover crops, plowed, and transitioned to organic farming.

Etienne himself had worked several vintages helping with press before starting his own domaine, and he decided to maintain the same strict quality controls, as well as add a few personal touches inspired by tastings and conversations with other young vignerons. Each parcel is vinified separately, with a small percentage of wines aged in barrels. In addition to the p...