How a Blanc de Blancs has been crafted from ‘white pearls’
Champagne Palmer has chosen to focus on the Montagne de Reims and the Côte de Sézanne for its Blanc de Blancs 2018 blend. Cellar master Xavier Berdin describes how two terroirs of Montagne de Reims known as the “white pearls” have assisted in creating a new classic.
Champagne Palmer & Co embodies the expertise of the Montagne de Reims and its great terroir, showcasing a distinctive style that has been defined by freshness and fullness.
Truly unique
As Champagne Palmer cellar master Xavier Berdin explains: “Every dimension of the wine is crafted using the very best at our disposal.”
Berdin observes: “Blanc de Blancs is truly unique, offering singular characteristics as a rare expression of Chardonnay grown on our emblematic Montagne de Reims vineyards. To craft our Blanc de Blancs, my predecessors envisioned a wine that would showcase the clarity, precision and elegance of the finest Chardonnays, while also being richer and more dynamic.”
What makes this bottling stand out? According to Berdin, “the addition of a small proportion of delicate, floral Chardonnays from the Côte de Sézanne to our zesty, energetic Chardonnays from the premier cru parcels of Villers-Marmery and Trépail allows us to achieve a pure, precise structure with remarkable freshness.”
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Berdin points out: “This unique blend is a hallmark of Palmer, and this ongoing pursuit of perfect balance, since 1947, is what gives this wine its quality and length.”
Chardonnay exception
Champagne Palmer Blanc de Blancs 2018 is described as a “Chardonnay exception” because the Montagne de Reims is the kingdom of great Pinot Noirs. As Berdin points out, it is “a powerful, generous grape, and yet there are two exceptional ‘islands’ in this ocean of Pinot Noir, located on the eastern slopes facing east/southeast: the premiers crus of Trépail and Villers-Marmery”.
According to Berdin, these “two jewels of the Montagne de Reims, known as the white pearls, are well sheltered from the westerly winds and produce superb Chardonnays, renowned for their concentration and structure”. Berdin says that, as such, “they provide Palmer Blanc de Blancs with its signature style and distinctive character”.
Remarkable balance
Highlighting what aspects of the 2018 vintage influenced the creation of this cuvée, Berdin notes that the climate and growing conditions played a role in the final result.
He explains: “The 2018 vintage in Champagne, coming after a challenging 2017, was exceptional thanks to ideal weather conditions: a rainy winter, a generously watered spring, followed by a hot, dry summer and a beautiful late season that allowed the grapes to ripen steadily. The balance between sugars and acidity was remarkable. The cool terroirs, which ripen later, enhanced the finesse and complexity of the base wines from the 2018 harvest, bringing freshness and tension to the blends.”
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