In the heart of the Montage de Reims
In the heart of the Montage de Reims
After several years of cultivating vines, Jean Bovière decided to produce his own Champagne in 1957. He then transferred his knowledge and passion to Denis Bovière who has now included Florian Bovière into the winery. Florian joined us a few years ago.
Our estate consists of about 4.8 hectares of vineyards - 80 % of them Pinot-noir and 20 % Chardonnay
Age of the vines : 35 years on averge, the oldest vine of the estate was planted in 1938.
The champagne of Verzenay owes its incomparable origininality, its aromas, its taste and style to the nature of the soil, which is chalky clay and limestone.
In vats made of enamel and stainless steel, the slow process of fermentation takes place.
The first « alcoholic » fermentation transforms the juice into wine. The yeasts « eat » the sugar and thus produce alcohol and carbon dioxide.
The second « malolactic » fermentation transforms malic acid into lactic acid. This fermentation happens at the end of the alcohol fermentation. This permits the wine to stabilize and soften.
Then the wine is filtered to remove solid particles and to be clarified.
After that we carry out the blending, a phase which consists of mixing the wine from different plots and different grape varieties to obtain a final product, balanced between fruit, suppleness and freshness.
And finally, the wine is bottled and starts to develop effervescence over the time. Fine bubbles form which contribute to its charm and elegance.
Our cuvée « Memory » ages 6 moths in oak barrels which gives the champagne more complexity, suppleness and a perfect balance.
It is in our cellars, dug by Jean Bovière, that you can fully understand the importance of time.
The wines are bottled in the spring and then put into our chalky gallery where they rest for for a minimum of fifteen months up to seven years in perfect temperature and humidity conditions.
Our estate only produces vintage champagnes in exceptional years. They can be stored for a very long time.
This long ageing process gives our champagnes very fine and delicate aromas, it reveals the subtlety of their nose and emphasizes their roundness.
Our village is dominated by the « Mill » and a lighthouse built in 1909. After refurbishment it has now served for many years as an « eco-museum for viniculture.
It was arranged like a space near a coastline. The garden of the lighthouse overlooks a sea of vineyards. This is unique in the Champagne region.
VERZENAY is situated in the heart of the Montagne de Reims, only 10 kms from Reims and 25 Kms from Epernay.
