Fabian Daviaux-Champagne Chavost
Oct 07, 2022
In recent decades, a lot of things have been changing in Champagne. Champagne has been a place where organic viticulture was barely spoken of and biodynamics were not even considered. This is slowly starting to change. Yes, Champagne focuses heavily on blending and creating “house” champagnes-. However, new sustainable movements are growing with the next generation’s innovation and forward thinking.
In Champagne, there is a big generational shift similar to burgundy. The new generation is taking their families’ domaines and making drastic changes. Being the avid champagne lovers we are, we couldn’t be more excited.
Fabian from Champagne Chavost is one of those generational movers. He is making quite a splash in defining the idea of a grower, negociant and/or co-op. The trend in recent years has been to look for the term RM, or focus on growers, but this is evolving. Buying land in champagne isn’t easy. Young winemakers are looking for other ways to follow their dreams. Buying grapes from growers they trust and operating under negoc is a very suitable option. For example, Fabian still operates under his family’s co-op. Fabian sits on the board of their 5ha co-op and made the decision to say, “we are going organic”. Albeit aggressive, it was the only way to sway them into organic farming and show that it is the way of the future. Fabian took the time to invest in sharing his goals and passion with members through a series of tastings and educational conversations. This approach has worked quite well. They have gotten a nice portion of their growers to farm organically since 2016. These grapes have since been included in the new wines of Champagne Chavost.
The Wines of Champagne Chavost
Viticulture and Vinification
It is Fabian’s goal to add nothing to his wines. He currently adds no sulfur at bottling (a feat quite rare in Champagne). After tasting the wines, we clearly see why. The wines are pure, transparent and easy to drink. In his arsenal, he makes a series of “glu glu” champagnes and wines that are fully no addition. The wines that are sans soufre are the Rose des Saignee, Coteaux Champenois, and the cuvee Eurêka.
Champagne Chavost is located in Chavot-Courcourt. It is an interesting place in Champagne. Technically the village is part of the Coteaux-sud d’ Epernay which acts as a continuation to the Côte de Blancs. When you stand at the top of the vineyard you understand why you are a bit unsure of where you are. You are in the center of champagne. To your right, the Côte de Blancs, straight ahead is the Montagne de Reims just over the mountainside, towards the left and continuing further you see the Vallee de la Marne. The top of the vineyards are full of limestone moving to more chalk mid slope.
His “Glu Glu” Champagnes are 'made' in the vineyard using organic farming and spontaneous yeasts. Starting fermentation is usually done by gravity. Never seeing any barrel, the wines are drinkable, pure, and all about freshness.
FERMENTATION
Spontaneous yeasts
Temperature controlled to preserve the indigenous yeasts
AGING
4 months in stainless steel tank
At least 20 months in bottle -No sulfur at bottling - ever!
NV Champagne Chavost Blanc d' Assemblage
ASSEMBLAGE: 47% Meunier, 47% Chardonnay 6% Pinot Noir
SOIL: limestone clay and chalk blended
VINE AGE: 10 to 60 years old
BOTTLES PRODUCED: 8000
The Blanc d'Assemblage is the perfect way to wrap your head around Fabian's style. Wines that are drinkable, easy to be consumed and share with anyone. Champagne in pure form with no additions.
NV Champagne Chavost Blanc de Chardonnay
ASSEMBLAGE: 100% Chardonnay
SOIL: Chalk, middle lower slope
VINE AGE: 10 to 60 years old
BOTTLES PRODUCED: 3700
The Blanc de Chardonnay all about the fresh, vibrant, and delicacy chardonnay brings to champagne.
NV Champagne Chavost Rose de Saignee
ASSEMBLAGE: 66% Meunier 34%Pinot Noir
SOIL: Clay and limestone
VINE AGE: 50 & 41 years old
BOTTLES PRODUCED: 1100
This is a unique Saignee. One of two wines that he makes with the intention of wanting it to be aged, consumed with food, and maybe just taken a bit more seriously than his glu glu range, seeing some barrel and extended aging.
2019 Champagne Chavost Coteaux Champenois Blanc
ASSEMBLAGE: 100% Chardonnay
SOIL: chalk, poor soil
VINEAGE: 61 years old
BOTTLES PRODUCED: 1200
The second wine he is making outside of his glu glu range. Seeing a bit of barrel and longer aging, this Chardonnay is awesome, we opened it and drank it over a day or two, watching the layers unfold
NV Champagne Chavost Blanc de' Meunier
ASSEMBLAGE: 100% Pinot Meunier
SOIL: Top of the slope, limestone soil
VINE AGE: 10 to 60 years old
BOTTLES PRODUCED: 3700
Meunier has been a pretty trendy grape in recent years, classically known for being fun, delicious, nice fruit and texture, and great to drink at any time. Well this is just that. The lack of sulfur really creates an incredible example of meunier.
NV Champagne Chavost Eurêka*Zero Addition Range
ASSEMBLAGE: 70% Pinot Noir, 15 % Meunier, 15 % Chardonnay
SOIL: Clay and limestone at the bottom of the hill of Chavot, from a plot called Les Hurées
VINE AGE: 30 years old
BOTTLES PRODUCED: 1987
*Zero Addition Range
2020 Champagne Chavost Coteaux Champenois Rouge
ASSEMBLAGE: 66% Pinot Noir, 34% Meunier
VINEYARD Les Hurees
SOIL tender chalk and clay rich soil
VINE AGE 32 years old
BOTTLES PRODUCED 300
With just a few hundred bottles produced, we can't wait to share this wine with you! Similar to his champs it is meant to be consumed. Light, energetic, with awesome fruit.
NV Champagne Chavost Ratafia Solera *Zero Addition Range
ASSEMBLAGE 50% Chardonnay, 50% Meunier
VINEYARDS sourced from all 5ha of vineyards
SOIL mainly limestone and chalk
VINE AGE 65-4 years old
BOTTLES PRODUCED 2000
