"Reliance" Brut Nature Champagne Franck Pascal

Produced by Franck Pascal, Champagne, France.

Champagne is a region still very dependent on agricultural chemicals, mainly through the misbelief they are the only path to high yields (and optimal profits). Franck is highly conscious of the harmful effects of these chemicals, and has been employing, and promoting, a chemical-free approach for over twenty years – long before the idea was understood, let alone accepted. He believes protecting nature’s fauna and flora must be a priority, and that man must work positively with nature, not against it, to protect the land for generations to come. And biodynamically farmed grapes consistently show an inherent freshness, making them the easiest path to protecting freshness in an ever warming climate.
He meticulously cares for 7 hectares in the Vallée de La Marne with what he calls, “a deep sensitivity for nature and the energy forces in our vines.” Grapes are hand-harvested, gently pressed and placed in an enamelled vat for the first alcoholic fermentation, using indigenous yeasts only, and kept on its lees for 7 years. Unfined, unfiltered and zero dosage.