A Look Back at Our "Wins & Archives" Tasting: When Still Champagne Challenged Burgundy!

The Magical Atmosphere of a Timeless Evening

Imagine a place steeped in history, bathed in warm light, where the murmur of conversations mixes with impassioned declamations and the crystalline sound of clinking glasses. This was the atmosphere of our "Wins & Archives" evening this past Wednesday, November 12, 2025. It was a moment of sharing and discovery that we had to share with you.

For those who were there, this is a way to relive this exceptional evening. For those who missed it, consider this a warm invitation for the next one!

This evening was much more than a simple tasting. It was a true cultural immersion, a theatrical reenactment of a historical debate: the quarrel between the wines of Burgundy and the wines of Champagne during the Ancien Régime.

The entire event was masterfully orchestrated by Édouard Bouyé, Director of the Côte-d'Or Archives, who brought the period's writings to life through a fascinating battle of words. The tasting portion itself was led by Adrien Tirelli, Master Caviste at Les Clos Vivants.

In Pictures: The Atmosphere of the "Wines & Archives" Evening

What better way to relive the unique atmosphere of our November 12th tasting than through photos? Through the expert lens of Antoine Martel, our photographer for the evening, here are the highlights of this captivating debate!

The Debate: Still Champagne vs. Great Burgundy Wines

Yes, you read that correctly: "Champagne... without bubbles." This was the core originality of the tasting. Before it became the king of effervescence, Champagne wine was a "still" wine.

We explored this little-known facet, known today as the AOC Coteaux Champenois.

Facing these rare wines, Burgundy was not to be outdone. The "match" was epic, highlighting two exceptional terroirs. True to the Les Clos Vivants philosophy, we had selected "timeless" bottles from vignerons who embody our passion for family-owned domains and a deep respect for nature :

For Champagne:

  • Champagne Bérèche (Domaine Les Mont Fournois)
  • Olivier Horiot
  • Champagne Pierre Paillard

For Burgundy:

  • Domaine Lecheneaut
  • Jean-Marc Roulot
  • Sylvain Pataille
  • Domaine Matrot

Fundamentally, the goal was not to declare a winner, but to understand what defines the identity of these "wines of place," capable of transmitting the unique energy of their parcel. And judging by the animated discussions among the guests, the quarrel is still very much alive today!

Don't Miss Our Next Tastings!

This "Wines & Archives" evening is the perfect example of what we love to create at Les Clos Vivants: experiences that go beyond the wine to touch upon culture, history, and connection.

We extend our warmest thanks to all the participants for their enthusiasm, to Édouard Bouyé and Géraud de Griffolet for their brilliant showcase of the texts, to the vignerons for their nectars, and of course, to Antoine Martel for his artistic eye.

If you, too, wish to explore exceptional wines, meet inspiring winemakers, or take part in extraordinary thematic evenings, we cordially invite you to follow our program closely.

The best way to miss nothing?

  1. Consult our tastings to see the upcoming calendar.
  2. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive invitations first (spots often fill up very quickly!).
  3. Explore our online selection and find the Burgundy wines and Champagne wines that truly move us.

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