On October 24^th our ABC Wine Team was visiting for the first time the Moutard-Diligent winery in the village of Buxeuil in Cote de Bar. Buxeuil is located in the southernmost part of Champagne, just north of Chablis which explains the particularity of its terroir: the soil here is predominantly the same kimmeridgian limestone found in Chablis.

 
Francois Moutard (left); the Moutard vineyards (right)

We were greeted by Francois Moutard. Francois had a vertical tasting for us of his wines from 1990 through 2002 as well as his 2005 100% Arbane Champagne. All wines showed very high level of quality, common for all Moutard wines, but the most exciting Champagne was an unusual bottling of six varieties that Francois calls “Cuvée des Six Cépages”. It is an equal parts blend of Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay, Arbanne and Petit Meslier; all six are allowed for use in Champagne by the Appellation.

The last two, Arbanne and Petit Meslier, have been ignored by most growers in the region because both have been “late ripeners” but when planted on the best southern-facing slopes and in the hands of a skillful winemaker, they bring new levels of fruit and complexity to the blend. A must taste for every Champagne lover!

 The Cuvée of the Six Cépages will be available in the beginning of December.

 
Old champagne press at Moutard

Atanas Nechkov, Wine Supervisor, Central Florida