4 V: Pinot Meunier
At a Glance
- Size: 0.36 ha (0.89 ac)
- Variety: Pinot Meunier
- Vine Age: Planted in 1963
- Terroir: West/southwest-facing lieu-dit "La Grosse Pierre" (Ludes, Montagne de Reims) with shallow (10-15 cm), rocky, well-draining Campanian (late Cretaceous) and limestone soil
- Viticulture: Organic, limited tilling, no herbicides, organic composts, etc.
- Vinification: Vinification is as minimalist as possible to express each of its '4 elements'. Vinification and aging exclusively in 600-liter demi-muids, blocked malolactic fermentation, aged for 4 years on lattes. 3 g/L dosage (Extra Brut).
Additional Info
The philosophy of the "4 V" cuvées originated in the Huré brothers' desire to reveal the balance of their terroirs and to observe, understand, and experiment with their unique characteristics. The combination of four elements - one Vineyard, one Variety, one Vintage, and one overriding method of vinification (Vision) - allows for a true, precise reflection within the larger, magnificent mosaic of terroirs that define Champagne.
This Pinot Meunier-only champagne was first made in 2012 and was just the second in the brothers' "4 Elements" (now "4 V") experiment. From the first vintage, they chose the terroir of "Grosse Pierre" due to its production of smaller, concentrated grapes (the result of hydric stress on the vines from the shallow, rocky soils).