Waris-Larmandier "Racines de Trois" Brut, Champagne, France NV

FROM DE MAISON

THE WINE: Cuvée Racines de Trois represents the “three roots” of Waris-Larmandier: the contribution of the three siblings to the project, and their use of three grape varieties (chardonnay, pinot noir, and meunier), coming from three regions of Champagne (Côte des Blancs, Montagne de Reims, and Côte des Bar). Together they form the base of Waris-Larmandier’s entry-level Champagne, which combines the structure of chardonnay with the red-fruit characteristics from the two pinots in an incredibly food-friendly, drinkable package. The Waris-Larmandier family utilizes natural and regenerative agricultural practices to cultivate their old-vine Grand Cru vineyards near their village of Avize in the Côte des Blancs. Racines de Trois is certified organic and biodynamic Champagne. The Waris-Larmandier style is terroir-focused, understated, structured, and ultra-elegant.

Terroir –

• Three villages in the Côte des Bar: Bar-sur-Seine, Avirey-Lingey, Éguilly-sous-Bois. Planted to Pinot Noir, making up approximately 30% of the cuvée.
• Two villages in Montagne de Reims: Bligny and Chamery. Planted to Premier Cru Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, making up approximately 10% of the cuvée.
• Five Villages in Côte des Blancs: all Chardonnay, making up approximately 60% of the cuvée.

Vinification – Grapes are hand-harvested and crushed in a traditional 4000 kg vertical wooden basket press; only free-run juice is used for the primary fermentation. Racines de Trois ferments with indigenous yeast in stainless steel tanks and 600L demi-muid Burgundy barrels. Malolactic fermentation is spontaneous following alcoholic fermentation. The base wines are aged six to 18 months before secondary fermentation in bottle, followed by 24 to 36 months of lees aging, sur lattes. Racines de Trois is usually a two-vintage blend without the addition of solera wine to the blend. Disgorgements are done according to the lunar cycle—dosage 5.5g/L.

THE PRODUCER: Located in Avize, in the heart of the Côte des Blancs, Waris-Larmandier Champagne was founded in 1989 by 5th generation grower, Marie-Hélène Larmandier, and her husband, Vincent Waris. Following Vincent’s passing, Marie-Hélène continued the family business while also managing her family estate of Guy Larmandier with her brother. Our story and relationship start with the next generation at Waris-Larmandier, led by eldest-son Jean-Philippe Waris. He took charge of the vineyards and winemaking in 2009, after working with Benoît Lahaye to learn biodynamic farming, among other lessons. Jean-Philippe immediately began converting his family’s 9ha of old-vine vineyards in 2011, utilizing biodynamic and regenerative farming principles. Waris-Larmandier achieved their biodynamic certification from Demeter in 2020.

Today, he is joined by his architect brother, Pierre-Louis, and sister Inès, a designer and sculptor. The artistically minded siblings have all recently returned to their native village of Avize, not only to contribute to the family winery but also to transform their way of life, organized around their artistic and agrarian sensibilities. Together, with their mother, they form the racines de trois or “three roots” of Waris-Larmandier, each contributing a unique piece to the artistic vision of this young, dynamic Champagne domaine. Inès designed the distinctive floral labels in tribute to her mother’s famous flower boxes, which beautifully adorn their whitewashed family home in the vineyards at the entrance to the quaint Avize village.

Waris-Larmandier owns prime, old-vine vineyards of Grand Cru chardonnay in the Côte des Blancs, located in the villages of Chouilly, Cramant, Avize, Oger, and Le Mesnil-sur-Oger. They also farm a smaller percentage of pinot noir and pinot meunier vineyards in the Montagne de Reims as well as a few small plots in the Côte des Bar and Aube. Specializing in Blanc de Blancs Champagne, the Waris-Larmandier style is understated, structured, and ultra-elegant.

Their family history is a similar story to other winemaking families in small, famous wine regions; they are related to everyone. Marie-Hélène is, of course, from the famous Larmandier family, her cousins own Larmandier-Bernier in Vertus, and her brother is the winemaker for their family winery Guy Larmandier. Also, the Gimonnets of Cuis are cousins. The late Vincent Waris’ side of the family includes his brother who produces the Waris-Hubert label, also in the village of Avize where his ancestors settled from Finland five generations ago. Such is a family history in Champagne.