Aurélien Lurquin. A name still very much under the radar, yet increasingly recognised among discerning enthusiasts seeking wines that respect both grape and soil. Based in Romery, in the Vallée de la Marne, the winemaker’s estate is modest in size, covering just 2.3 hectares. Quality clearly takes precedence over quantity. His work draws together?–?with talent and conviction?–?the vitality of the vines, the mineral pulse of the land and the life forces unique to each terroir. The result? Emotionally engaging wines with real presence and poise.
Barely 2,000 bottles of both still and sparkling wines are produced each year, crafted from iconic Champagne varieties: predominantly Pinot Noir (40%), followed by Chardonnay (35%), Pinot Meunier (24%) and the rare Petit Meslier (1%). Part of his production is also sold to trade. If you have yet to discover these wines, don’t wait too long! This confidential estate has already caused quite a stir at auction, fetching some truly sky-high prices!
Aurélien is also a member of the association “Des pieds et des vins”, which aims to highlight terroir-driven Champagnes produced in the same thoughtful spirit as those of Sélosse, Lahaye, Vouette, Agrapart and Sorbée.

Coteaux Champenois are still wines produced in Champagne and officially recognised since 1974. Once known as ‘vins de pays from the Montagne de Reims’, these wines were highly prized before sparkling Champagne rose to fame. Today, these wines made from the same grape varieties as Champagne?–?Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay?–?are very rare and highly sought-after. This cuvée comes from a parcel in Romery, in the Montagne de Reims. The clay-limestone soils, rich in chalk, lend the wine both pronounced minerality and fine structure. The grapes are hand-harvested and vinified traditionally with minimal intervention. The wine then ages on fine lees for several months.
In the glass, the wine displays a bright pale yellow hue. The refined, complex nose reveals aromas of white flowers, and fresh ripe white-fleshed fruits. On the palate, the attack is lively and fresh, carried by a remarkable mineral backbone that leads into a fruit-driven, persistent finish.