Olivier Horiot Coteaux Champenois Riceys Blanc "En Valingrain" 2021

OLIVIER HORIOT COTEAUX CHAMPENOIS RICEYS BLANC EN VALINGRAIN 2021

Olivier Horiot is one of the leading growers in Les Riceys, a village in the Côte des Bar, in the southern part of Champagne. His work combines respect for the region’s vineyards and traditional grape varieties with an artisanal approach to each individual parcel. Alongside his champagnes, he produces Coteaux Champenois, still wines that reveal a lesser-known side of this distinctive region.

En Valingrain comes from a specific site in Les Riceys, where marl and Kimmeridgian limestone soils contribute distinctive character and identity. It is an unusual expression of still Champagne, with a texture and depth that may recall some fine white Burgundies.

PHILOSOPHY

Olivier Horiot’s philosophy focuses on expressing the character of the vineyard through a restrained approach to winemaking and close attention to the origin of the grapes. Organic and biodynamic viticulture, together with sensitive cellar work, supports a style centred on purity, texture and terroir expression.

En Valingrain demonstrates that Champagne can also produce highly distinctive still white wines, where mineral character and freshness are as important as the depth contributed by ageing.

WINEMAKING AND VINTAGE

The winemaking and grape provenance of En Valingrain are closely connected to a specific parcel in Les Riceys. The wine blends Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc, two varieties that complement each other through freshness, structure and aromatic breadth.

Fermentation and ageing take place in oak barrels, with extended lees ageing. The sources consulted describe the wine as unfined and unfiltered, an approach intended to preserve its texture and individual expression. The 2021 vintage offers a profile marked by mineral character, freshness and precision.

VINEYARD AND GRAPE VARIETIES

The En Valingrain vineyard lies in Les Riceys, in the Côte des Bar. Its marl soils over Kimmeridgian limestone contribute to the tension and mineral character that define this cuvée.

The blend consists of 50% Chardonnay and 50% Pinot Blanc, sourced from a selected vineyard site. Chardonnay brings structure and freshness, while Pinot Blanc contributes breadth and a rounded texture.

TASTING NOTES

The nose initially reveals fresh citrus notes, opening with aeration to aromas of yellow fruit, almond, butter and brioche. Oak ageing adds complexity without masking the wine’s mineral identity.

On the palate, it is broad and textured while retaining pronounced tension and persistent minerality. Its balance of volume and freshness may evoke certain white Burgundies, yet it maintains a clear Champagne identity. This is a wine to savour slowly, ideally with some aeration when enjoyed young.

FOOD PAIRING

Excellent with firm-fleshed fish, scallops, shellfish, poultry and delicate dishes with creamy sauces. It also pairs well with soft cheeses and refined cuisine where the wine’s texture and mineral character can provide a counterpoint.

TECHNICAL SHEET

PRODUCER: Olivier Horiot

WINE: Coteaux Champenois Riceys Blanc En Valingrain

VINTAGE: 2021

COUNTRY: France

REGION: Champagne, Côte des Bar

APPELLATION: Coteaux Champenois

COLOUR: Still white wine

GRAPE VARIETIES: 50% Chardonnay, 50% Pinot Blanc

SOILS: Marl and Kimmeridgian limestone

WINEMAKING: Barrel fermentation and lees ageing

FINING AND FILTRATION: Unfined and unfiltered, according to the sources consulted

ALCOHOL: 12% ABV

SERVING TEMPERATURE: 12–15 °C

ALLERGENS: Contains sulphites