September 16, 2025
A trip to the Champagne region wouldn’t be complete without a visit to some grower champagne houses. Here are some of our recommendations. Domaine La Borderie Douce Folie Vineyard Extra Brut Rose NV
-
Champagne Domaine La Borderie was created in 2013 by Simon and Marie Normand. As brother and sister, they took over the family estate of 11.5 hectares, located around Bar-sur-Seine in the Côte des Bar. This is 160kms south of Reims and if you drive a further 162kms south you are in Beaune! For over 100 years the family sold their grapes to the big brands then in 2013 they produced 6000 bottles and now they are making over 20,000 bottles. Important to the family has been conservation of biodiversity their area in 2013 classified as "High Environmental Value" and additionally certified "Sustainable Viticulture in Champagne."
In the vineyard they are constantly looking for small yields and a high degree of ripeness of the grapes giving a high concentration of fruit in the champagnes. The winery is ultra modern, gravity fed and with each batch vinified separately. A little oak is used typically 5-15% of oak-fermented wines, the stainless steel fermented wines go through the malolactic fermentation whereas in barrels it is avoided. Oxidative style is not to Simon’s liking, tension and fruitiness very much are.
Vinification:The rose colour comes from maceration of the grapes in stainless steel tanks and as soon as the colour is obtained, some 36 to 48 hours, then the juice is removed. The malolactic fermentation continues in stainless steel tanks.
Weather:In the cote des Bar the weather was much less extreme than in the rest of champagne, which is much further north. The particularly mild winter gave way to a varied spring with a period of freezing temperatures followed by long and warm summer. The vines reached full bloom at the usual times, during a sunny and dry month of June. It was a glorious summer with plenty of sunshine and little rain. The ripening of the Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays was given a boost at the end of August by some long-awaited rainfall. The crops were harvested in mid-September under the cool autumnal skies, giving rise to elegant, fresh and fruity wines with Cote des Bar producing great champagne from 2015.
Technical Information:
Vineyards: Côte des Bar - Single Vineyard Douce Folie | A single vineyard
Grape Varieties: 100% Pinot Noir
Base vintage: 2015
Lees Ageing: 3 years
Dosage: 2 g/l
Disgorged: July 2019
Bottling Date: July 2016
Production: 4,000 Bottles
Drink: Now to 2026
Tasting Note: A strong rose colour, with floral notes of violet, raspberry, blackcurrant, morello cherry, dark plum and a really expressive nose. There is a creamy texture on the palate, all the fruits combines with a chalky mineral element from the soils and a freshness from the acidity. Delicious with or without foods.
In the vineyard they are constantly looking for small yields and a high degree of ripeness of the grapes giving a high concentration of fruit in the champagnes. The winery is ultra modern, gravity fed and with each batch vinified separately. A little oak is used typically 5-15% of oak-fermented wines, the stainless steel fermented wines go through the malolactic fermentation whereas in barrels it is avoided. Oxidative style is not to Simon’s liking, tension and fruitiness very much are.
Vinification:The rose colour comes from maceration of the grapes in stainless steel tanks and as soon as the colour is obtained, some 36 to 48 hours, then the juice is removed. The malolactic fermentation continues in stainless steel tanks.
Weather:In the cote des Bar the weather was much less extreme than in the rest of champagne, which is much further north. The particularly mild winter gave way to a varied spring with a period of freezing temperatures followed by long and warm summer. The vines reached full bloom at the usual times, during a sunny and dry month of June. It was a glorious summer with plenty of sunshine and little rain. The ripening of the Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays was given a boost at the end of August by some long-awaited rainfall. The crops were harvested in mid-September under the cool autumnal skies, giving rise to elegant, fresh and fruity wines with Cote des Bar producing great champagne from 2015.
Technical Information:
Vineyards: Côte des Bar - Single Vineyard Douce Folie | A single vineyard
Grape Varieties: 100% Pinot Noir
Base vintage: 2015
Lees Ageing: 3 years
Dosage: 2 g/l
Disgorged: July 2019
Bottling Date: July 2016
Production: 4,000 Bottles
Drink: Now to 2026
Tasting Note: A strong rose colour, with floral notes of violet, raspberry, blackcurrant, morello cherry, dark plum and a really expressive nose. There is a creamy texture on the palate, all the fruits combines with a chalky mineral element from the soils and a freshness from the acidity. Delicious with or without foods.
