Bauser

Champagne Bauser is one of the family estates of Les Riceys, in the far south of Champagne. It is the only village in the region that holds all three appellations: Champagne, Coteaux Champenois and Rosé des Riceys. The village has three church towers. The estate lies in the Côte des Bar, in the Aube département.

From the cooperative to a brand of their own

René Bauser, previously a salaried grower, built up his vineyard in the 1960s and left the cooperative. In 1970 the former cooperative members became récoltants-manipulants. The first champagne was made in 1975, and the house itself gives that year as its founding date. It was founded by René and Claudie Bauser. Today it is run by their children Sophie, Frédéric and Sébastien, and the grandchildren are already involved. Sophie looks after sales, Frédéric the vineyards and Sébastien the cellar. That makes three generations.

Vines, sites and ageing

The estate farms 20 hectares, certified HVE3 (Haute Valeur Environnementale, level 3). Gault&Millau gives 23 hectares. The varieties grown are Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc and Meunier. Pinot Blanc is rare in Champagne and accounts for only about 3 per cent. Pinot Noir, the main grape of Les Riceys, is at the heart of the cuvées, in both the champagnes and the still wines.

Each cuvée comes from a careful selection of parcels and is vinified in amphorae, barrels, foudres or stainless steel tanks. Annual production is around 180,000 bottles.

The wines

• Champagne: The website lists the cuvées Brut Nature, Diam's, Pur Meunier, l'Intense Rosé and 4 Cépages.
• Rosé des Riceys: The wine is made by whole-bunch maceration lasting four to six days.
• Other wines: Coteaux Champenois Rouge and Ratafia Champenois.

Visiting and tasting

The house welcomes visitors at 36 Rue de la Voie Pouche. It is open Monday to Friday from 9 to 12 and from 2.30 to 6 pm, and at weekends by appointment. On the cellar visit, guests learn about the work in the vineyard and how champagne is made. For a tasting and cellar visit, booking is recommended on +33 (0)3 25 29 37 37.