Wine Advocate:

Bérêche & Fils, based in the village of Ludes, just 15 kilometers south of Reims, stands as the premier grower-producer in this hidden gem of the Champagne region. The estate meticulously tends to 26 plots spread across 11.5 hectares, while also sourcing fruit from an additional two hectares in Ambonnay, Cramant and Trépail.

Bérêche’s 2022 Coteaux Champenois Aÿ Blanc, produced from Chardonnay planted in what is traditionally Pinot Noir territory and rooted in notably stony soils, opens with aromas of lemon zest, crisp green apple and white flowers, mingling with subtle hints of nuts. Medium- to full-bodied and textural yet vibrant, it combines both power and minerality in equal measure, concluding with a nicely saline finish. While this white will certainly pique the interest of some, it ultimately falls short of the overall performance and excitement found in the estate’s Champagnes.