Paul Launois Contraste #1 French Champagne 75 cl 12.5%

The Launois family calls Le Mesnil-sur-Oger home, the heart of the Côte des Blancs, where generations have grown Grand Cru Chardonnay. Contraste #1 is a deliberate break from that habit - a trip to the Ardre Valley west of Reims in search of something entirely different: Meunier.

Expert's Description

Paul Launois Contraste #1 is a Sparkling Wine from Champagne, France made from 100% Meunier, bottled at 12.5% ABV.

Julien and Sarah Launois founded the house in 2015, naming it after their son Paul. The family's 6.5 hectares of Grand Cru vines lie in Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, close to the famous Clos de Mesnil plots - but for the Contraste series they source grapes from a completely different place: the Ardre Valley, where Meunier grows on clay-limestone and clay-marl soils along the river. Contraste #1 is built on the 2019 harvest, fermented spontaneously with the wine's own wild yeasts and vinified 57% in steel and 43% in oak, before ageing 24 months on the lees. The low dosage - Extra Brut - lets the grape and the terroir speak for themselves.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Fresh and lively, with an elegant bouquet of yellow fruit and flowers.

Palate

Long and finely drawn, with a discreet, salty minerality that gives a refined, harmonious character.

Finish

Persistent, with the minerality the last thing to fade.

Serving & Food Pairing

Serve at 8-10°C in a champagne glass or tulip. Contraste #1 makes a natural aperitif, but also pairs nicely with shellfish, fish and white poultry.

Specifications

Name: Contraste #1
Producer/Champagne House: Paul Launois
Region/Country: Vallée de l'Ardre, Champagne, France
Appellation/Classification: Champagne AOC
Grape Variety(ies): Meunier 100%
Vintage: Non-vintage (NV), base vintage 2019
ABV: 12.5%
Size: 75 CL
Dosage: Extra Brut
Method: Traditional Method
Oak Ageing: Partial, 43% in oak
Vegan: No
Serving Temperature: 8-10°C
Decanting Recommended: No
Glass Type: Champagne Glass

Flavour Profile

Elegant · Mineral · Finely Drawn · Terroir-Driven

Did You Know?

Paul Launois is actually a Chardonnay specialist from the Côte des Blancs - the Contraste series is the house's deliberate experiment with Meunier from a completely different terroir, hence the name.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Paul Launois Contraste #1

What does the Champagne taste like?

Yellow fruit and flowers on the nose, with a long, finely drawn palate and a discreet, salty minerality.

What grape is the Champagne made from?

100% Meunier from the Vallée de l'Ardre.

Why is it called Contraste?

Because Paul Launois is otherwise known for Chardonnay from the Côte des Blancs - this cuvée is a deliberate counterpoint, made from Meunier grown on different terroir.

What does Extra Brut mean?

That the Champagne has a lower dosage than standard Brut, giving a drier, more direct taste.

What temperature should the Champagne be served at?

8-10°C, ideally in a champagne glass or tulip.

What food goes well with this Champagne?

Shellfish, fish and white poultry - or enjoy it as an aperitif.