From big brand to fine wine – it’s no exaggeration to say that grower champagne has changed the notion of what champagne can and should be.

Pioneers like Francis Egly of iconic grower champagne Egly-Ouriet have invested huge amounts of time and money prioritising their vineyards, relentlessly focusing on quality and terroir expression in their wines – and ultimately going up against the big Champagne houses.

It’s a brave move, but one that is reinvigorating the region and attracting many converts to the cause.

In this episode we chat with Francis Egly and his daughter Clemence to hear their thoughts on why it’s important to harvest their grapes ripe, age their bottles extensively and see the process through from growing grapes to selling their wine.

We also hear from Charles Lea, owner and director of respected London wine merchant Lea & Sandeman, on how a lockdown trip to Champagne saw him move away from the ‘boring’ big production houses and embrace the growers’ cause.

Along the way, we provide the context and analysis, and taste through a number of quite stunning grower champagnes – including an exclusive taster of a new Egly-Ouriet wine that’s not yet been released on the UK market…

This episode is sponsored by Lea & Sandeman. We’re very grateful to them – and to you for tuning in.

Wines tasted in this episode:

- Egly-Ouriet Les Vignes de Bisseuil 1er Cru (arriving late 2024)
- Nicolas Maillart Platine 1er Cru Extra Brut
- Christophe Mignon ADN de Meunier Brut Nature NV
- Egly-Ouriet Les Prémices Extra Brut NV [2022 release]
- Larmandier-Bernier Latitude Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs 1er Cru NV
- Egly-Ouriet Les Vignes de Vrigny Brut 1er Cru NV [2023 release]
- Egly-Ouriet Grand Cru Ambonnay NV [2023 release]
- Roger Coulon Millésime 2013 Blanc de Noirs 1er Cru