The house of Jacques Selosse is based in Avize, a grand cru village on the Côte des Blancs. Jacques Selosse founded the estate in 1949 with his wife, starting from just a handful of parcels. His son Anselme harvested for the first time on the family estate in 1974 and officially took it over in 1980 together with his wife Corinne. Today Guillaume Selosse runs the house. The vineyard area is around 7.5 to 8 hectares, spread over many parcels. Chardonnay from Avize, Cramant, Oger and Le Mesnil-sur-Oger dominates, with a little Pinot Noir from Aÿ and Mareuil-sur-Aÿ.
From his training in Burgundy, Anselme Selosse brought back a terroir-driven way of working. The wines are fermented in oak, and the oxidative ageing is something you would otherwise associate more with Andalusia. He is regarded as a pioneer of biodynamics in Champagne and as a trailblazer for low dosage. The result is champagne with strong character and a slightly oxidative note.
The range is built on two assemblages: Initial (Brut, Chardonnay from Avize, Cramant and Oger, three consecutive vintages) and Version Originale (Extra Brut). The best-known cuvée is Substance, a pure Avize Chardonnay from a solera begun in 1986. The Millésimé comes from two parcels in Avize. Since 2010 there have also been six lieux-dits, among them Les Carelles, La Côte Faron and Les Chantereines, made in a kind of mini-solera. Production is small and demand is high.
