A conversation with Auriane Collard.

The world of champagne is a tapestry woven from centuries of tradition, meticulous artistry, and bold innovation. In this series, through candid conversations, we venture into the heart of the champagne cellars, speaking with the visionaries, artisans, and legacy keepers who transform grapes into art. Welcome to Cellar Talks.

Do you remember the first time you tasted champagne?

In a Champagne family, it is often played from the cradle with the little finger that we dip in the champagne and that we bring to the lips of the baby... a sort of baptism "à la champenoise"

What is a word that best describes champagne?

Our terroir. It is he who speaks for us. Our job is to let it express itself in all its singularity.

What was your very first vintage?

Our Brut Nature. I like the idea of ​​showing without artifice our terroirs and the work done in the vineyard, where everything starts, the origin. This brut nature is certainly without dosage, low in sulfur, but it is also vinified in vats to not give any taste marker to the wine. Show where we come from to show you later where we want to go, with more complex vintages on the development.

What is the greatest thing that you look for, for a good harvest?

Balance. It is interesting to push the maturities to have more complexity but the main challenge remains the balance. And it is up to us to find it according to the year of harvest and the specificities of our different plots.

What was the best year for champagne according to you?

For the most recent, 2019. The tastings are incredible. I'm still letting it age in the cellar. It has the potential, but the sales are not yet open.

What is the thing you do every day?

No two days are the same! We adapt our work according to the seasonality. Work in the vineyard, in the vat room to accompany the wines, in the cellar to welcome customers, commercial and administrative management...you have to be versatile when you are a small estate.

What was your favorite vintage for Christmas this year?

To start, a brut nature to accompany the oysters, the freshness and the liveliness of this vintage marries perfectly with the iodized flavor. For a vintage champagne, the 2014. It's fuller with comforting notes, to accompany a turkey with chestnuts.

What does Champagne represent?

A great terroir, the most technical wine in the world, the ideal playground :)

What is the best place to eat in Champagne?

The best wine and the best dishes are always those shared in good company. But for a good restaurant, I recommend Le Bec Fin in Bouzy. We are happy to have a restaurant of such quality in our village.

In your opinion, what is the best quote about champagne?

A quote that we made our own with Lucien by paraphrasing St Exupéry "on ne (b)oit bien qu'avec le cœur". Emotion must always remain central.