The Champagne Fundamentals

Ambonnay is one of only 17 villages in the world to have acquired the prestigious appellation "Grand Cru". With no new areas having been granted the title since 1985; Grand Cru grapes represent the top 0.5% of all the Champagne grapes in the world.

Every single grape used in a bottle of Champagne Grand Cru must come from a Grand Cru plot. With such limited supply, high volume Champagne houses are unable to earn the same unique designation.

A Grand Cru vineyard is characterised by a unique micro-climate, shaped by an exceptional chalk-rich soil and sub-soil, perfect sun exposure and rainfalls positively influenced by the valleys and surrounding mountains. The exceptional grapes produced in these vineyards are picked by hand and refined with the highest level of care. These are the ideal conditions and methods for producing the best grapes and Champagne year after year.

With the best grapes in the world, it comes down to the craftsmanship, savoir-faire and passion to make the best Champagne.

Yvonne Belhomme leverages experience from its seasoned team of experts as well as making and blending secrets passed down through generations to deliver a Champagne Grand Cru which has been elaborated to mature perfectly and to allow the grapes to achieve their full potential.

The amount of "liqueur de dosage" added determines the sweetness of the Champagne. The most common dosage is Brut (between 6 and 12 g/l).

Yvonne Belhomme stands on Brut's scale lower end, which emphasises on the minerality and allows the taster to truly experience balance without saturation of the palate due to excessive sweetness.

Most champagnes are made from a combination of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier.

Chardonnay brings minerality, freshness and finesse, Pinot Noir builds the body and ageing potential, Pinot Meunier adds fruitiness and binding potential.

Yvonne Belhomme brings to the table a remarkable balance between 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay, highlighting minerality and mature agrume flavours.

To ensure consistency in taste and quality year after year, Champagne wines of different vintages are carefully blended before being bottled and grown into Champagne.

Yvonne Belhomme uses exclusively Grand Cru grapes to craft an outstanding Champagne. To achieve its full potential, Yvonne Belhomme Grand Cru is maturing for the maximum period of 3 years.