Vinos a la venta: Etienne Calsac

On his small Avize-based domain, young vintner Etienne Calsac has been making marvels and bringing Champagne’s forgotten grape varieties to our attention: Arbane, Pinot Blanc, and Petit Meslier all feature in his cuvées.

Etienne Calsac is part of the new Champagne generation, and his aim is to make producer champagne that expresses its terroir all whilst respecting the soil and the vines. Setting up in 2010 after spending time in the US, New Zealand, and Canada, he now cultivates 2.8 hectares of vines between Avize and the Marne valley. In Avize, the famous Côte des Blancs grand cru where Etienne inherited his family’s winery, the Chardonnay grapes grow in the Clos du Maladrie. Moving towards organic methods – unusual in the region- he uses neither pesticides nor herbicides in the vineyard. For a few years now, the domain’s mission has been to bring forgotten grape varieties back to Champagne, leading to the planting of Pinot Blanc, Arbane, and Petit Meslier vines. These frank champagnes have already found their way onto menus at some of France’s top hotels.