Crémant de Bourgogne Extra Brut Domaine Gruhier

The Crémant de Bourgogne Extra Brut from Domaine Dominique Gruhier is the festive and precise expression of this historic Yonne domaine, crafted with the same organic care and non-interventionist rigour that has guided the entire range since 1999. A Crémant of natural frankness and vibrancy that speaks honestly of where it comes from: the Kimmeridgian limestone of the Yonne, that chalky, iodised terroir to which Dominique Gruhier has devoted his life.

Grape variety, terroir and winemaking

This Extra Brut Crémant is made primarily from Pinot Noir, sourced from the domaine's steep hillside parcels in Épineuil, with Chardonnay completing the blend. Both come from vines certified organic since 2015, grown on the characteristic Kimmeridgian soils of the Yonne, those clay-limestone terraces rich in oyster fossils that give the domaine's wines their distinctive saline minerality and natural freshness. Traditional method vinification includes a slow first fermentation with indigenous yeasts, bottle fermentation through gradual prise de mousse, then extended ageing on lees in temperature-controlled cellar before disgorging. Dosage is fixed at Extra Brut, between 3 and 6 grams per litre, reflecting the domaine's non-interventionist philosophy: minimal dosage that preserves the natural frankness and vibrancy of Kimmeridgian terroir without excess. Bottling is done with minimal winemaking additives and minimal sulphur in keeping with the house's constant approach.

Tasting profile

The colour is pale gold with greenish glints, animated by fine, persistent bubbles of remarkable lightness and definition. The nose is immediate and precise, directly inherited from Kimmeridgian terroir: fresh citrus aromas, lemon and grapefruit, crisp green apple and white flowers open naturally and spontaneously, accompanied by a light brioche and mineral note from ageing on lees. The characteristic saline, chalky minerality of the domaine gradually asserts itself in the glass, bringing depth and tension to a floral and fruity bouquet of natural frankness and delicacy. On the palate, the attack is lively and precise, with well-integrated natural acidity that brings drive and vibrancy to an elegant, light palate. Fine bubbles caress the mouth with delicacy. The Extra Brut dosage allows the minerality and salinity of terroir to express themselves without interference. The finish is long, saline and mineral, with a persistence and freshness that confirm this terroir's gift for producing sparkling wines of genuine character.

The domaine

The Domaine de l'Abbaye du Petit Quincy is a beautiful Cistercian property dedicated to wine production since the thirteenth century. Taken over in 1989 by Jean-Paul Gruhier and his son Dominique, the domaine now extends across more than 32 hectares of certified organic vines, producing 14 different cuvées sold in more than 30 countries worldwide. This Extra Brut Crémant is the festive and luminous gateway to a domaine whose organic commitment and stylistic conviction have won the hearts of the most demanding enthusiasts in the Yonne and beyond.

Food pairing

This Crémant de Bourgogne Extra Brut pairs beautifully as an aperitif with fine oysters, smoked salmon blinis, Comté cheese gougères or savoury bites from Yonne producers. At table, it will reveal its full minerality and vibrancy with steamed scallops, sea bass tartare with citrus, sole meunière or cold langoustines with homemade mayonnaise. Served between 8 and 10 °C, it will show all the chalky frankness, saline vibrancy and honest character of a Burgundy sparkling wine signed by one of the Yonne's most committed and precise organic vignerons.