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The Larmandier and Bernier families have been involved in the Champenois vineyards since the French Revolution. As early as the 18th century, the Larmandiers also participated in the rise of Côte des blancs with the renown of their Cramant Blanc de blancs Nature.
Founded in 1971 by Philippe Larmandier and his wife Elisabeth Bernier, Maison Larmandier-Bernier is today run by their son, Pierre, who is committed to offering the purest expression of this great terroir through natural viticulture.
Since their establishment in Champagne, passion and know-how have always been passed down from generation to generation within both the Larmandier and Bernier families. From the 20th century onwards, Jules Larmandier produced Champagnes with remarkable taste qualities, and it wasn't long before many top Parisian restaurants were interested in them. Larmandier Champagnes were soon being served at Tour d'Argent, Taillevant and Charlot roi des coquillages.
The House took the name Larmandier-Bernier in 1971, following the marriage of Philippe Larmandier, Jules' grandson, to Elisabeth Bernier, a vineyard owner in Vertus. In 1988, their son Pierre decided to join the family business, in order to practise the trade that is so close to his heart. Accompanied by his wife Sophie, the couple are constantly improving the quality of their farming practices, having converted their... See more ...
The latest addition to Larmandier-Bernier’s collection of distinctive champagnes, the 2017 Les Chemins d’Avize cuvée is a refined bottle, perfect for a intimate tasting. This blanc de blancs is part of the single-vineyard cuvée initiative launched by the estate in 1988 with the Vieille Vigne de Cramant, and expanded over the decades. Pierre and Sophie Larmandier had long been convinced of the exceptional potential of the Avize terroir. It was finally in 2009, thanks to the acquisition of a smaller press, that the estate was able to isolate two historic plots located in the heart of the village, in the “Chemin de Plivot” and “Chemin de Flavigny” sites.
The terroir here is particularly demanding, characterized by very poor soil where chalk lies directly on the surface. The old vines, aged 65 years, draw from this soil a unique mineral density and floral notes of great delicacy. The winemaking process respects this original purity with gentle pressing and very light settling. The juices are then transferred directly into Stockinger barrels and casks, where natural alcoholic fermentation, driven by indigenous yeasts, as well as malolactic fermentation, occur entirely spontaneously.
The initial aging takes place on natural lees during the first year, without any filtration or fining, to preserve the wine’s integrity. The bottles are then moved to the coolness of the house cellars to undergo their second fermentation. This aging on racks continues for at least nine additional years, giving the cuvée remarkable complexity. Each bottle is disgorged by hand one year before release. Offered as an Extra-Brut with a minimalist dosage of just 2 grams per liter, this champagne expresses with absolute integrity all the nobility and briny vibrancy of the great estates of Avize.