The producer
Since its creation in 1808, the history of the Drappier Champagne House has been closely linked to Pinot Noir, its favorite grape variety. It was in the 1930s that, against the general opinion of the village, this grape variety was replanted on the estate. History proved the house right, and the 100% Pinot Noir Drappier wine was General de Gaulle’s favorite during his family meals.
Today, the children of André and Micheline Drappier represent the eighth generation to care for this exceptional organic and biodynamic vineyard by honoring forgotten grape varieties such as Arbane, Petit Meslier and Blanc Vrai.
The vineyard
The vineyard of the Drappier Champagne House spreads over 100 hectares of vines, to the south of Reims, split between the old vines in the Cote des Bar, the intense Pinot Noir in the Montagne de Reims and the very fine Chardonnay from the Cote des Blancs. This vineyard gets its distinctive feature from its limestone-rich terroir combined with maximum amounts of sunshine. Some of the Drappier House’s parcels are also worked with draught horses.
The vinification and aging
This Carte d'Or cuvee by the Drappier Champagne House is made from the first press. Vinification is carried out by gravity, followed by natural settling. Malolactic fermentation. 5% of the wines are aged in oak barrels. Use of 40% reserve wines. The dosage is 6.5 g/l.
The blend
Pinot Noir (80%)
Chardonnay (15%)
Pinot Meunier (5%)
The tasting
Nose
The nose reveals delicious stone fruit fragrances (white vine peach).
Palate
Powerful and complex, the mouth seduces with its spicy notes, its structure and its characteristic quince jelly aromas.
Food and wine pairing
Ideal as an aperitif, Drappier's Carte d'Or goes well with white meat, firm fish or Chaource cheese.
Discover our wide selection of sought-after champagnes, like those of the renowned Barons de Rothschild Champagne House, the Drappier Champagne Brut, the Champagne Drappier Carte d'Or, the Moet Imperial Champagne, and the Veuve Clicquot Brut Champagne.
The latest release of the NV Carte d'Or Brut was disgorged in November 2017, and it's showing well today, wafting from the glass with notions of waxy lemon rind, hazelnuts, fresh peaches and lily pollen. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, pure and vibrant, with pinpoint bubbles, brisk acids and good length and definition on the chalky finish. Attractively balanced, it will gain depth with bottle age.