Adrien Renoir
| Vigneron | Adrien Renoir |
| Location | Verzy (Marne) |
| Size of Domaine | 5 ha |
| Terroir | Continental climate with oceanic influence. Fine, silty clay-limestone soil over chalk bedrock. Gentle slope. 120-150m altitude. |
| Viticulture | Certified organic (Ecocert), practicing biodynamics and agroforestry. |
| View Adrien Renoir wines ↓ |
Based in Verzy, Adrien Renoir took over the 5ha family domaine in 2014. An admirer of Sébastien Mouzon and his champagnes, he switched to organic farming immediately despite his father’s doubts, now implementing biodynamics and vitiforestry too. Reluctant to uproot healthy old vines in pursuit of higher yields, Adrien’s father passed on a selection of vineyards composed mostly (65%) of high-quality old massales that were planted before 1965. The soils are worked superficially only to avoid disturbing their structure and encourage microbial life. Trees and hedges are planted to boost biodiversity and positively impact the vineyard’s mesoclimate. The aim is to reach an average of 250 trees per ha of vines.
20mg/l SO2 is added at the press only, and since 2018 all wines are vinified and aged in up to 10yo 228ltr oak barrels, while reserve wines are kept in foudres. Reductive ageing on fine lees is preferred to avoid additives during the élevage, the wines undergo malolactic fermentation, and they are bottled after 10 months with a 'liqueur de tirage' at 21g/l sugar for a delicate mousse.
Adrien’s champagnes show their Verzy roots with their fine mineral backbone and incisive nature, though they have a little more fat and a softer texture than Mouzon-Leroux due to their ageing in more recent barrels. At just 30yo, Adrien is already regarded as "one of Champagne's brightest young talents" by William Kelley; we encourage anyone with a keen interest in the region to enjoy them before everyone catches on.
Adrien Renoir Wines
LE TERROIR
Verzy Grand Cru
50% Pinot Noir, 50% Chardonnay
50% Pinot Noir, 50% Chardonnay (12% alc.)
An equal blend of chardonnay and pinot, this wine gives a full picture of the terroir of Verzy: some hillsides are chalkier, closer to the bedrock, therefore perfect for chardonnay, while some other slopes have a deeper clay topsoil rich in flint, perfect for growing pinot noir. This champagne is based on the 2022 vintage with some reserve wines from 2021. The still wines mature for 11 months in 228ltr barrels (5–8% new), and the reserve wines age in large foudres. Fleshy and textural, this is underpinned by ripe yet racy acidity, with a long, sapid finish. Disgorged 05/2025 - Dosage 0.8 g/l.
LE CÉPAGE (2022)
Verzy Grand Cru
100% Pinot Noir
100% Pinot Noir (12% alc.)
Adrien aims to make a quintessential Verzy pinot noir – refined, nuanced, and saline. It comes from 20 to 30 parcels of 50yo vines (on average), on 70cm topsoil. For this cuvée, he selects the barrels that show the most finesse and sapidity, with a lifted character. This wine is always elegant, a very ethereal pinot. Disgorged 05/25 - Dosage 1.6g/l.
LES MONTANTS 2020
Verzy Grand Cru
100% Chardonnay
100% Chardonnay (12% alc.)
The vines are located in the lieu-dit Les Montants, planted in 1962, on a chalky outcrop (40cm topsoil at most before reaching the chalk) – widely recognised as one of the best (if not the best) chardonnay plots in Verzy. Light, elegant, 'aérien', this wine has a delicate structure; it almost evaporates on the palate leaving a beautiful saline sensation. Bottled with a 'liqueur de tirage' at an exceptionally low 19g/l sugar, it allows for a very fine and subtle mousse that underpins a stunningly complex wine. Disgorged 06/24 - Dosage 0.8g/l.
LES ÉPINETTES 2020
Verzy Grand Cru
100% Pinot Noir
100% Pinot Noir (12% alc.)
Adrien took the decision to bottle this lieu-dit separately because the wines consistently outclassed the other pinots at the domaine. Planted in 1973, Les Épinettes lies 300m away from Les Montants on Verzy’s middle hillside. A river used to run through the plot (millions of years ago) rendering the chalk yellow and friable, unlike the rest of Verzy. Warm and inviting, fresh pastry nose. Fine acidity on the palate, saline, with bite and silkiness too, and some structure from the 5% new oak that integrates over time in the glass. This is a deep and multi-layered champagne that showcases its Grand Cru pedigree beautifully. Disgorged 06/24 - Dosage 0.8g/l.