Bouzy, Montagne de Reims Champagne, France The Clouets have been Champagne grower/ producers for more than a century, well before the term became fashionable. Now, this modest house has expanded to keep up with demand and their Champagnes are increasingly available in the United States. They will purchase some fruit at harvest from trusted sources and have become “négociants-manipulants.” Jean-François Clouet’s forebears were printers; his family still lives in the 17th century house built by a great -great grandfather who was a printer to Louis XV’s royal court. Jean-François’s parents, Pierre and Françoise held true to Champgane-making tradition. Using mostly Pinot Noir grapes from the Grand Cru villages of Bouzy and Ambonnay, they have built a reputation for solid, well-priced sparkling wines. Their 9 hectares are located on well placed middle slopes in these two famous towns.
Their flagship, the famous Cuvée 1911 is still stocked at the bar in the Folies Bergère, Paris. The 1911 is quite sumptuous, normally from 2 consecutave vintages, it is always vivid and fine as a aperitif as well steamed lobster and salmon en croûte. Jean-François is a savvy, shrewd business person, as well as craftsperson of fine Champagnes. He holds true to the techniques handed down by his family, but with an eye towards competing with larger houses, he redesigned the labels. The evocative ancient régime label is an homage to his printer ancestor. Since he has taken charge, the family’s wines have achieved cult status and have been favorable compared to those of Jacques Selosse, an iconic Champagne producer. Jean-François, however, prefers to emulate Bollinger, one of the grand houses in Champagne, known for their full-bodied wines. All of Clouet’s vintage wines come from a vineyard of old vines situated next to Bollinger’s ungrafted vines in Bouzy.
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