Francoise Francoise - Brut Nature

This 100% Pinot Noir is vinified by Charles Dufour from his mother's recuperated vines without any added dosage, keeping things fresh and pure.

Charles Dufour

Charles Dufour has been something of a breakout success in the world of natural wine. He represents a new generation of small vignerons. On top of his own vineyards, which are bottled under the Bulles de Comptoir label, since 2010 he has been making wines from some of his family's vineyards situated in Celles-sur-Ource under his mother's name, Françoise Martinot.

Charles employs a biodynamic approach, quite the challenge in this region's marginal and unpredictable climate. In the cellar produces his vin clair using native yeasts, raising the wine in barrels and avoiding the use of sulfites altogether. He opts for extensive aging on the lees to yield complex, engaging champagnes with a beautiful vinous character.

Behind Françoise Martinot is a much sought-after Champagne winemaker: Charles Dufour. Françoise is his mother and she also owns the vineyards from which Charles produces the Bistrotage range. The 4 hectares of vineyards planted with Pinot Noir are located in Chervey on the Côte des Bar. Compared to Charles' own vineyards in Landreville, the microclimate there is somewhat warmer. 

Charles is largely responsible for cultivating the vines on his own and is also responsible for ageing the wines. He follows organic cultivation principles, ferments the wines spontaneously and ages them in stainless steel and old Burgundian wooden barrels. The wines are always bottled without dosage and sulphur is also largely avoided. 

Nevertheless, Françoise Martinot's flavour is also reflected in the champagnes. On the one hand, she was the driving force behind the switch to organic farming, which was completed in 2010. Secondly, she particularly likes champagnes characterised by yeast. In addition to a lively acidity, the champagnes therefore all have a complex yeasty, ripe fruit flavour with a fine perlage and long finish.