De Sousa Champagne Tradition, Avize

The Sousa family settled in Avize after a family member, that left Portugal to help fight with the French, ended up settling in Champagne and falling in love, he married a local who came from a line of grape growers. The wines are now organically farmed, right down to ploughing by horse to avoid tractors crushing the fertile and healthy soils. Made from 50% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir and 10% Pinot Meunier. This bubbly has an “old school” feel to me. You get plenty of yeasty and bready aromas, along with a roasted note that reminds me a bit of coffee loaded up with lots of sweet cream. Broad and delightfully satisfying on the palate with a long, biscuity finish.