Salvatore Castano was welcomed at Champagne Brimoncourt, a house bought in 2008
and whose premises, in Aÿ, are classified as part of the industrial heritage
of the Champagne region.
If Brimoncourt is the result of a recent desire to found a Champagne house, it nevertheless houses a historical treasure that many Champagne houses envy. The former Plantet printing works contains thousands of lithographic stones for champagne labels. It was the printing centre of many houses and thus compiles part of their history.
It's a funny coincidence that a young Champagne House has such a historical treasure!
One could imagine that this story was written somewhere among the stones of the old printing works, and that it was the starting point of Brimoncourt. The founder, Alexandre Cornot, first brought the printing house out of bankruptcy before turning it around and deciding to start creating bubbles.
Salvatore meets him and his crew. Very quickly, the dialogue is fluid, light, but controlled. One could say Brimoncourt style, since this is precisely the image that the house favours... and which can be felt in the tasting of their champagnes!
The Brut Régence is the first cuvée that the House has unveiled. Salvatore will then discover the Blanc de Blancs cuvée, then the Extra Brut, allowing him to grasp the house style, marked by subtlety. From the appearance of the bubbles to the sensation of the smoothness of the foam on the palate, the presence remains and settles in. The MMIX 2009 offers complexity, eloquence and subtlety.
Finally, the Brut Rosé, with a nice hint of iodine on the finish, giving it finesse and character, and which could be wonderful with meat.
Salvatore will remember these moments of exchange as very beautiful encounters: “During this wine-tour we met some incredible personalities. Alexandre is certainly one of the most outstanding! He carries the House's values to the highest level, offering very high quality champagnes with great ageing potential”.
Text and photos Xavier Lacombe
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