Champagne Thiénot launches Blanc de Blancs NV

Champagne Thiénot has released its first ever Blanc de Blancs NV, marking a handover between two cellar masters, as Nicolas Uriel takes over from Laurent Fédou.

Completing the house’s classic range of Champagnes made in its house style, the new cuvée is made from Chardonnay sourced from mainly from the crus of d’Avize, Villers-Marmery, Vertus and Vitryat.

The new cuvée was crafted in partnership by Uriel and Fédou, during a transition period as Fédou passed over the role of cellarmaster to Uriel.

Uriel began working at the house as vineyard relations manager in 2008 and then began to train under Thiénot’s winemaker, Laurent Fédou, who had been cellarmaster since the house was founded in 1985. The two have been working together on Thiénot’s blends for the past 10 years.

Fédou meanwhile has transferred his attention entirely to Canard-Duchêne, a brand acquired by the Thiénot family in 2003, where he has also taken on the role of international ambassador for the group.

Describing the composition of the Blanc de Blancs, the duo explained that the crus of Avize and Vertus bring a “straight and sharp” character to the wine, while Villers-Marmery offers body and structure, and Vitryat adds a “cheerful and delectable” edge to the final blend.

The main vintage in the blend is 2014, with additional reserve wines from 2013, 2012 and 2010.

Uriel described the cuvée, which has spent four years ageing in Thiénot’s cellars, as one that expresses itself “simply and cheerfully” and the “nobility” of Chardonnay, calling it a “natural tribute” to this grape variety.

The nose is dominated by notes of lemon and orange blossom, while the palate offers “pastry notes and a remarkable length”, revealing an “elegant and generous wine”, a release states.

Champagne Thiénot’s Blanc de Blancs NV will retail at £45 a bottle.