FMV adds Leclerc Briant Champagne to portfolio

Fields, Morris & Verdin has added family-owned biodynamic Champagne house Leclerc Briant to its portfolio to bolster its high-end fizz offering.

Having focused on organic viticulture for three generations, the estate, which was founded in 1872, has been biodynamically certified since the 1980s.

Originally named Leclerc Estate, the house was expanded in 1955 by founder Lucian Leclerc’s great grandson Bertrand Leclerc and his wife Jacqueline Briant.

The same year the estate changed its name to Leclerc Briant and moved to the Rue Chaude Ruelle in Epernay, where it still resides.

FMV has taken on 13 wines from Leclerc Briant across its three ranges: classic, single vineyard and specialities, including its brut non-vintage, brut rosé, extra brut, demi-sec and three non-vintage single vineyard Champagnes – La Croisette, Les Basses Prières and Clos des Trois Clochers.

“Over the past few years Leclerc Briant has been given a new lease of life through the acquisition of new vineyards, renovated facilities, a new style of wine, and renewed ambition.

“To further spread the word and find our way to the best tables, we needed to seek the best possible partners for our brand: trade partners who understand what we do, how we do it and why, who we could trust to represent our wines and re-build our brand,” said commercial director Pierre Bettinger.

“This was particularly true for key markets like the UK. Having agreed partnerships in numerous countries including the US, Japan, Germany and Italy, we were yet to find the right collaboration in the UK.

“It has been a long journey, but we’re excited to start working with Fields, Morris & Verdin. We can’t wait to finally be able to tell British visitors to Champagne where they can find our wines at home,” he added.

FMV’s Champagne buyer, Davy Zyw, added: “We are delighted to introduce the wines of Leclerc Briant to our Champagne portfolio. There has never been a better time to be a Champagne drinker, as the wines of the region have never been so diverse and stimulating.

“This is thanks to terroir driven producers like Leclerc Briant, who go to great depths in the search of quality and expression. We look forward to introducing our trade customers to the pioneering work of chef du cave, Hervé Justin.”