Champagne Nowack (Flavien Nowack)

Champagne / France

At A Glance

Winemaker(s)

Flavien Nowack

Appellation

Champagne (Vallée de la Marne)

Varieties

Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay

Farming

Organic practicing

Quote

“The Champagnes of Flavien reflect the daily accompaniment of the vine, with humility and philosophy to lead the wines to a more beautiful expression, aiming for the objective zero input.”

Their Story
“The soil is living, it changes with the seasons and we live with its rhythm ... Made according to the simplest rules, these champagnes are living organisms produced from a natural fermentation, slow and complete. A conviction: re-establish the relation between the plant, the animal, and the mineral to translate the energy of the soil to the fruit.” — Flavien Nowack

Located in Vandières, in the Vallée de la Marne, Domaine Nowack continues to progress now under the reigns of Flavien Nowack who joined his family’s domaine in 2011. With a focus on organic farming and the philosophy of harvesting only when his grapes are at full maturity, Flavien began by producing three champagnes from 3 hectares provided to him by his father. His first goal was to display the difference between Meunier, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from three single parcels at the same elevation all within his home village of Vandières. By using only natural yeast in the cellar, bottling his wines for secondary fermentation under cork, allowing his wines to rest for the right amount of time in the cellar and bottling under lower bars of pressure, Flavien is producing exceptional champagnes. His wines are of  lush and soothing mouth feel balanced with lively acidity and incredible length of finish. More poetically stated by Flavien as to “re-establish the relation between the plant, the animal, and the mineral to translate the energy of the soil to the fruit.”
Mid Post Image
Found on the mid-slope, Flavien's La Fontinette parcel is comprised of 100 % Meunier thriving in sandy clay limestone on marl.

Since 2011, Flavien’s holdings have grown to 7 hectares as he now produces six different champagnes and one Coteaux Champenoise. With the exception of his brand new cuvée S.A. (Sans Année), Flavien’s wines are each of one parcel within his home village of Vandières and from a single vintage. In the cellar only native yeast is used, malolactic fermentation does not occur until the spring, barrels are 228L, and the cellar is naturally cold. Wines rest on their lees in bottle for 18 to 40 months. Dosage will very from zero to 4 grams.

S.A (Sans Année)

Base 2017 with 40 % reserve wines (2012 to 2016)

Terroir : The reflection of Vandières

Blend : 60 % Meunier / 40% Chardonnay

Vinification : natural yeasts. Ageing in stainless steel and small oak barrels. Unfined and unfiltered. Dosage with gape must.

 

From the top of the hill (haut-coteau) 180 meters:

LES TERRES BLEUES

100 % Meunier

Harvest 2016

Terroir: fossilized limestone

Vinification : natural yeasts. Ageing in small oak barrels. Ageing on the cork. Unfined and unfiltered. Dosage with gape must.

 

From the middle of the hill (mi-coteau) 100 meters: 3 parcels at same altitude 

LA FONTINETTE

100 % Meunier

Harvest 2016

Terroir: Sandy clay limestone  on marl.

Vinification : natural yeasts. Ageing in small oak barrels. Ageing on the cork. Unfined and unfiltered.

LA TUILERIE

100 % Chardonnay

Harvest 2015

Terroir: Sandy limestone on marl.

Vinification : natural yeasts. Ageing in small oak barrels. Ageing on the cork. Unfined and unfiltered.

LES BAUCHETS

100 % Pinot Noir  Harvest 2015

Terroir: Sandy limestone on marl.

Vinification : natural yeasts. Ageing in small oak barrels. Ageing on the cork. Unfined and unfiltered.

 

From the bottom of the hill (bas-coteau) 50 meters:

LES ARPENTS ROUGES

Blend: 60 % Meunier / 40% Chardonnay – Harvest 2016

Terroir : Clay on sandstone

Vinification: natural yeasts. Ageing in small oak barrels. Ageing on the cork. Unfined and unfiltered. Dosage with gape must.