Viard Lanier

Viard Lanier is a small family estate in Azy-sur-Marne in the Aisne département. Nadine and Daniel Viard run the property and introduce it themselves on the house's website. The village lies in the loops of the Marne, not far from Château-Thierry, the birthplace of Jean de la Fontaine.

Location and vines

The Marne Valley as a wine region extends for around a hundred kilometres, beginning in Seine-et-Marne and ending east of Épernay. Azy-sur-Marne belongs to its western part. Mont de Bonneil, with its panorama over the Marne Valley, looks down on all the estate's vineyards.

About seven hectares are farmed. Sources differ on the number of parcels: an older version of the description speaks of around twenty, another of 24. The grape of choice is Pinot Meunier: the estate regards it as the variety best suited to the Marne Valley, and it covers 80 per cent of the vineyard area. Added to this are 11 per cent Chardonnay and 9 per cent Pinot Noir.

The champagnes

The range is compact. The Brut is a blend of 45 per cent Pinot Meunier, 45 per cent Pinot Noir and 10 per cent Chardonnay. The house describes it as fruity, soft in character and with good length. It is recommended with foie gras or dessert, as an aperitif, but also with fish and white meat.

The Rosé is made from the two red champagne grape varieties, topped up with 15 per cent red champagne still wine (AOC). The estate names red fruit as the aroma, and the colour shows orange hues. There is also a Demi-Sec. The Cuvée Coccinelle (French for ladybird) is a blend of the house's best cuvées, made up of 67 per cent Chardonnay and 33 per cent Pinot Noir. That sets it apart from the estate's Meunier-dominated style.

Visiting

• Address: 1 Route de Bonneil, 02400 Azy-sur-Marne
• Cellar-door sales by appointment
• Telephone: +33 3 23 82 48 88
• Website: champagne-viard-lanier.fr