Mouzon-Leroux

Mouzon-Leroux is based in Verzy, a grand cru village on the northern Montagne de Reims, right next to the grand cru of Verzenay. The family has grown grapes in Verzy since 1776 and has bottled its own wine since the 1930s. They have worked these vines for nine generations. Today the estate is run by Pascale, Philippe and Sébastien Mouzon.

Sites and grape varieties

According to the website, the estate farms 8.5 hectares in 65 parcels in Verzy, on the Grande Montagne de Reims, with a north-easterly exposure and soils of clay and chalk over flint. Older brochures give 7.5 hectares. Further parcels lie in Verzenay, Ludes and Villers-Marmery. The plantings are 60% Pinot Noir, 35% Chardonnay and 5% Arbane, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Meunier and Petit Meslier. All seven permitted Champagne varieties are therefore represented.

Biodynamics and cellar

The estate has farmed biodynamically since 2008 and is Demeter certified. Sébastien Mouzon joined his parents in 2001 and drove the conversion in 2008. The vineyards hold over 1,500 trees and shrubs and more than 800 herbs such as thyme and mint. In winter, hens and sheep graze between the rows. Horses do the ploughing, and sheep keep the growth in check. In the cellar the approach is spontaneous fermentation, plenty of wood, little sulphur and low dosage. The wines are never filtered. The estate belongs to the Club Trésors de Champagne.

The cuvées

• L'Atavique: the entry-level cuvée, 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay, Extra Brut with 1 g/l dosage
• L'Ascendant: comes from a solera begun in 2010 with the cuvée L'Atavique
• L'Incandescent: a rosé de saignée
• Les Fervins 7 Cépages: blends the seven Champagne grape varieties in almost equal parts

The estate also bottles L'Angélique (blanc de blancs), L'Ineffable (blanc de noirs) and a Coteaux Champenois Blanc, among others. You will find the estate at 16 Rue Basse des Carrières in Verzy.