Of the multiple grower houses we've enjoyed bringing forth to the Champagne Monday spotlight, it's remained a spot of shame that today's name has yet to make an appearance. To those familiar, this wait time perhaps comes as no real surprise, given the limited cult-chased nature of Emmanuel Brochet's creations!
Operating out of Villers-aux-Noeuds, a village south of Reims, Emmanuel works across his relatively tiny 2.5 hectare plots with purpose and poise. His fermentations are always carried out using indigenous yeasts, spend extended time aging on their lees, and left entirely unfiltered so to best preserve their energetic flair and mouth-coating texture. Practicing organic since 2008, and certified by 2011, he is a passionate first-generation talent who, all the same, remains humble about his craft and purpose, citing the health of his environment as the most important factor.
“The way I came to organic farming was not through any sort of militant philosophy, but through the pleasure of wine. If your environment gives you pleasure, your work will be better. It’s a question of harmony."
For this week's special, Emmanuel's artisanal approach is on full display in theSelected Extra Brut - a 100% Pinot Meunier beauty, born out of the sand, marl and clay soils of Massif de Saint-Thierry (known as the northernmost area of the entire Champagne region). This means essentially, for the first time that we're aware of, Emmanuel has gone to fruit outside of his own vines. Wave away any skepticism, however - we were delighted to find this 3g/L Extra Brut packing the same plentiful textural pleasure, citric vibrance and taut finishing tension as any of his previous labels. We should've guessed that a meticulous craftsman like Brochet would only choose fruit that carried on these same themes, still awash with that classic Montagne-de-Reims ripeness and generosity.
This label remains still more limited than the average NV, and thus our warmth in suggesting this delicious choice is heartfelt yet urgent! We'll be raising our own glasses over the hot summer months, toasting and feeling grateful for talents such as Emmanuel casting their spells within such legendary French land. What a joy it is to drink the resulting magic.
Whenever a set of releases come in from Emmanuel Brochet, many adoring fans sit up at attention - not least because his labels are as scant as they come!
A self-taught artist, his commitment to his land and organics remains very
well-respected among his peers.
"I find more minerality in them [organic wines] and a richer expression. The wines are more complex, with more aroma, and extra length on the palate."
Emmanuel Brochet Selected Extra Brut NV
$185 on special this week ($215 RRP)
(Limited availability)
// 100% Pinot Meunier (Massif de St Thierry, north-west of Reims)
2021 base vintage, with ~65% reserve wines (disgorged in 2025)
Certified organic
3g/L dosage
It'll always be a great day in the shop when boxes with Emmanuel's name on them come through the door, such is their rare shelf-scarce nature, and what a tasty expression he has brought forth from Champagne's northernmost area (Massif de Saint-Thierry). The total Meunier dominance is something we don't see nearly enough of, completely shining here alongside the fresh 2021 base vintage with opening notes of ripe orange skin zest, chalk, dried stonefruits and ocean breeze. The area's generous soils of sand, marl and clay show in ample style come the mid-palate, with chiselled bursts of saline acidity, white peach and almond, as well as hints of some earthen spice and red berry pleasure. Its finish is slightly toasted, granting one very well-balanced bottle of bubbles, holding complexity that could go alongside some fine fish carpaccio, tartare or sushi, as well as the levity that would make for a crispy apéritif on a hot summer's day. Drink this one soon, and with unperturbed pleasure - Our Notes
If you wish to purchase this champagne, please use the link above
If you have any questions, please contact us on (07)32521117 or email sales@thewineemporium.com.au
// Special price valid until Monday the 19th of October