Ratings

Bérêche & Fils

Bérêche et Fils, a distinguished name in the Champagne region, has seen a remarkable transformation under the stewardship of brothers Vincent and Raphaël Bérêche. Since taking the reins of the family-owned House in 2004, the brothers have elevated the Maison to new heights, earning widespread acclaim for their exquisite and sought-after cuvées.

Situated in the Premier Cru village of Ludes in the Montagne de Reims, Bérêche et Fils has a vineyard footprint of 14.8 hectares, predominantly in the Montagne de Reims and the Vallée de la Marne, with notable parcels in the Grand Cru terroir of Cramant in the Côte des Blancs. The estate’s vineyards, primarily composed of old vines, are meticulously managed by Vincent and his team, who employ manual cultivation methods, shunning herbicides and insecticides in favour of an organic approach with restricted yields.

In the cellar, Raphaël Bérêche's meticulousness mirrors his brother's approach in the vineyards. He favours natural, slow vinification and extended maturation, primarily in barrels, avoiding malolactic fermentation to preserve the wine's natural acidity and complexity. A distinct aspect of their winemaking is the use of traditional cork for the second fermentation in the bottle, which imparts a mature and integrated flavour profile, softer effervescence, and richer texture due to controlled oxidation. Their champagnes, bottled without filtration and always hand-disgorged, are lauded for their exceptional vinosity and striking purity.

The Bérêche brothers' conscientious and low-intervention approach from vineyard to cellar has earned them a revered spot in the unofficial Grower Champagne Hall of Fame. They are in the esteemed company of other cult grower producers such as Jacques Selosse, Pascal Agrapart, and Jérôme Prévost. Furthermore, Raphaël's contribution to the grower champagne community is significant, having co-founded the ‘Terres et Vins de Champagne’ growers’ organisation in 2009 with his high-school friend Aurélien Laherte. This collective of passionate growers has played a pivotal role in the Champagne region, with their annual tasting event becoming a crucial platform for Champagne's most important growers' trade event, Le Printemps des Champagnes.

Bérêche et Fils' range of champagnes, from their entry-level cuvées to their flagship offerings, are celebrated for their honest, street-level appeal, offering exceptional value and a captivating charm that competes with, and often surpasses, the most prestigious cuvées in Champagne. Their wines are not just a testament to their skill and dedication but also embody the essence of grower champagnes – wines with a distinct identity, rooted in their terroir, and crafted with a profound respect for nature.