Champagne Orpair Oger Grand Cru 2020 Vauversin

Champagne Orpair Oger Grand Cru 2020

Overview

The Champagne Orpair Oger Grand Cru 2020 is a multi-parcel cuvée of exceptional elegance from the lieux-dits Chênets and Gallois in Oger. These are the first harvested parcels, with vines over 30 years old, grown on slopes perfectly exposed for early ripening. Vinification in over 20-year-old oak barrels for 8 months, followed by 3 years of bottle aging on the lees, creates depth, finesse, and complexity. Produced in fewer than 2,000 bottles, this Extra-Brut 3 g/l vintage showcases the best of the Grand Cru terroir.

Wine History

Orpair reflects the Vauversin family’s commitment to expressing the historic vineyards of Oger. The 2020 vintage benefited from balanced conditions, allowing optimal ripening and highlighting the chalky-mineral soils. The cuvée embodies the story of the first harvested parcels, preserving the memory of the place and the quality of centuries-old vines.

Vineyard Philosophy

The Chênets and Gallois vineyards are managed with biodiversity and sustainability in mind, emphasizing each parcel’s unique character. Rich soils with light clay, flint deposits, and deep chalk allow roots to penetrate deeply, giving concentration and aromatic complexity. Every stage from flowering to harvest is carefully monitored to ensure healthy, perfectly ripe grapes.

Winemaking Approach

Vinification takes place in over 20-year-old oak barrels for 8 months, preserving elegance and finesse. After bottling, the 3-year lees aging develops balance, complexity, and persistence. The 3 g/l Extra-Brut dosage highlights Chardonnay’s purity and harmony of the cuvée. All wines contain sulfites.

Tasting Notes and Pairings

Color: luminous straw yellow with golden reflections
Aroma: white flowers, citrus, and chalky minerality
Palate: elegant, fresh, and persistent, with mineral notes and balanced creaminess
Perfect with seafood, shellfish, grilled fish, and soft cheeses.

Technical Sheet

• Producer: Vauversin

• Vintage: 2020

• Region: Champagne

• Grape Variety: 100% Chardonnay

• Format: 0.75 l

• Denomination: DOP

• Alcohol: 12.5%

• Serving Temperature: 8–10°C

Vauversin Winery: Champagne Excellence in Côte des Blancs

History

The Vauversin family has been present in Champagne since the mid-17th century, but it was only in the early 20th century that Fernand Vauversin began vinifying and marketing wines independently. The winery was officially established in 1929, carrying forward a tradition of passion and dedication through generations. Today, the estate is managed by Laurent Vauversin, the fifteenth generation, who after studying viticulture and oenology and gaining experience in Australia, took over the family estate. Vauversin’s history is a balance between ancient roots and modernity, with a constant goal: expressing the authenticity of Chardonnay grown in Oger.

Vineyard Philosophy

At the heart of the estate is a single grape variety: Chardonnay, thriving in the Côte des Blancs on chalky, limestone soils and a cool climate, achieving extraordinary purity and finesse. The vineyard management follows principles of biodiversity, science, and harmony, inspired by natural ecosystems and modern agronomy. Vines are interplanted with cereals, legumes, flowers, and perennial aromatic plants such as lavender, rosemary, and sage, alongside various tree species. Since 2011, the estate is certified organic, and massal selection of Chardonnay is carried out in collaboration with a local nursery, ensuring the highest quality grapes while respecting the environment.

Winemaking Approach

Winemaking is characterized by careful handling of each grape lot. At the end of summer, grapes from the different plots undergo delicate vinification under meticulous control. In spring, the wine is bottled and left to age for several years on the lees, with riddling done entirely by hand. Each cuvée follows a specific vinification path, enhancing the personality of Chardonnay and producing a range of Blanc-de-Blancs with remarkable elegance, character, and finesse.

Terroir and Style

The Oger Grand Cru terroir is the true protagonist of Vauversin wines, providing complexity, minerality, and longevity. The winery’s approach blends tradition and innovation, respecting the seasonality and natural qualities of the grapes. Attention to detail, from vineyard planting to winemaking, ensures every Champagne expresses the essence of Côte des Blancs, making it unique and authentic. All wines contain sulfites, ensuring preservation and quality in every bottle.