Boulard - Cauroy-les-Hermonville

In the very heart of the Champagne region between Reims and Epernay is located the home of Raymond Boulard. The Boulard family has been tending their vines for five generations, since 1792. They own 10.25 ha of vineyards in seven villages and grow the three classic Champagne grape varieties. Francis Boulard looks after the vineyards and vinification, and brother Dominique looks after the bottling and maturation. These are fastidious and passionate vignerons whose attention to detail can only be described as awesome. Because of the numerous terroirs farmed by the Boulard’s they can offer quite a unique range of truly artisan Champagnes.

The vine growing at Champagne Boulard is all about respect for the environment and real passion to preserve the terroir. The dedication to producing optimal quality fruit is staggering. Organic manuring and organic conditioning by using the fresh bark of broad-leaved trees and bovine manure. Manual training of the vines on wires for a good separation of shoots and bunches. During summer, partial hand thinning of the leaves - aeration of bunches on the eastern side of the vines. Partial picking if necessary & short pruning. Manual harvesting “late” to allow for optimum ripeness and maximum aromas and hence less necessity to chaptalise. Very selective picking of the grapes. Deep ploughing of the soil after the harvest. Older Burgundy barrels are used for Pinot Noir and Bordeaux barrels for Chardonnay. Natural yeasts or selected dry yeasts in case natural ones do not work. Malolactic fermentation may or may not be avoided depending on the style of the cuvée. Dosages are kept low and only “must concentrate” is used for the dosage NOT sugar. Avoiding fining and filtration. Battonage in the barrels. Phew, it’s a long list and it is a very much condensed version! The dedication to the vineyard and wine making is truly “Artisan”.