A. Bergère Origine Brut NV – 92 Points John Gilman | Champagne

92 POINTS JOHN GILMAN! 70% CHARDONNAY! THREE HISTORIC CHAMPAGNE VILLAGES! JUST 4 g/L DOSAGE! THE MAGNIFICENT A. BERGÈRE ORIGINE BRUT – ONE OF CHAMPAGNE'S MOST EXCITING GROWER WINES FOR JUST $122!

92 Points – John Gilman

A. Bergère ‘Origine’ Brut NV – Champagne, France

RRP $122 per bottle

NOW THIS IS THE SORT OF CHAMPAGNE THAT GETS US VERY EXCITED AT LIQUID VIBE!

There are the enormous Champagne houses.

The famous international labels.

And the Champagnes that everybody knows.

But then there are the extraordinary family growers producing wines that deserve considerably more attention.

A. BERGÈRE IS ONE OF THOSE PRODUCERS!

A family with vineyard roots dating back to 1848.

A Champagne house established in 1949.

A new generation of winemaking led by Adrien Bergère.

And a magnificent Chardonnay-dominant Champagne that showcases the beautiful vineyards of the Vallée du Petit Morin.

THIS IS SERIOUSLY EXCITING GROWER CHAMPAGNE!

And the details are impressive.

92 POINTS JOHN GILMAN!

70% CHARDONNAY!

20% PINOT NOIR!

10% MEUNIER!

THREE HISTORIC CHAMPAGNE VILLAGES!

30% RESERVE WINES IN A DOCUMENTED RELEASE!

JUST 4 GRAMS PER LITRE DOSAGE!

FAMILY VINEYARD HISTORY DATING BACK TO 1848!

JUST $122 A BOTTLE!

Think fresh white peaches.

Ripe nectarines.

Crisp green apples.

Lemon zest.

White flowers.

Fresh brioche.

Toasted almonds.

And a beautifully refreshing mineral finish.

This is Champagne with wonderful purity.

Magnificent freshness.

Beautifully integrated bubbles.

And a creamy texture that makes it incredibly enjoyable.

THE ELEGANCE OF CHARDONNAY. THE DEPTH OF PINOT NOIR. THE GENEROSITY OF MEUNIER. ONE MAGNIFICENT GROWER CHAMPAGNE!

Champagne A. Bergère – A Family Story Dating Back to 1848

The story of Champagne A. Bergère begins in the beautiful village of Fèrebrianges.

Situated in the Vallée du Petit Morin.

A fascinating and increasingly celebrated part of the Champagne region.

The Bergère family's winegrowing history dates back to 1848.

But it was in 1949 that Albert Bergère established the Champagne house bearing the family name.

His ambition was to showcase the quality and individuality of the family's vineyards.

And over the following generations, that philosophy remained central to the estate.

In 1986, André Bergère took over the family domaine alongside his wife Brigitte.

Together, they expanded the vineyard holdings.

Including parcels in Fèrebrianges.

Étoges.

And Congy.

The family also acquired vineyards in the Côte des Blancs and Sézannais.

But the next major chapter arrived in 2014.

ADRIEN BERGÈRE JOINED THE FAMILY ESTATE!

A trained oenologist with a passion for expressing the individuality of Champagne's vineyards.

Adrien introduced an increasingly detailed approach to parcel selection and vinification.

He began examining the potential of individual vineyard sites.

Exploring the use of oak.

And focusing on wines that communicate the character of their origins.

The result has been a fascinating evolution.

A family estate with generations of history.

But a contemporary approach to Champagne production.

OVER 175 YEARS OF FAMILY WINEGROWING HISTORY – WITH A NEW GENERATION PUSHING QUALITY FORWARD!

Vallée du Petit Morin – One of Champagne's Fascinating Terroirs

Now here's something that makes Origine particularly interesting.

It comes from the VALLÉE DU PETIT MORIN!

Not the famous Grand Cru villages of the Côte des Blancs.

Not the celebrated Pinot Noir slopes of Bouzy or Aÿ.

But a distinctive region with its own extraordinary vineyard character.

The Vallée du Petit Morin offers a fascinating combination of soils.

Chalk.

Limestone.

Sand.

And clay.

These different geological influences contribute to the personality of the wines.

Chalk and limestone can help produce freshness and mineral definition.

Clay can contribute texture and fruit generosity.

And sandy soils provide another element of diversity.

The result can be Champagne with wonderful balance.

Beautiful fruit.

A creamy palate.

And vibrant acidity.

And that is exactly the attraction of A. Bergère Origine.

A MAGNIFICENT EXPRESSION OF THE VALLÉE DU PETIT MORIN!

Three Historic Villages – Fèrebrianges, Étoges and Congy

Now here's another important detail.

THREE HISTORIC CHAMPAGNE VILLAGES!

The fruit for Origine comes from Fèrebrianges, Étoges and Congy.

These are the villages at the heart of the Bergère family's history.

And the name Origine is particularly appropriate.

Because this Champagne celebrates the estate's origins.

The vineyards that helped establish the family.

And the terroirs that continue to define its identity.

Rather than attempting to imitate the style of the enormous Champagne houses, Adrien Bergère has created a wine that reflects the family's own vineyards.

The combination of fruit from these three villages provides complexity.

Freshness.

And beautiful balance.

THREE VILLAGES. ONE FAMILY HISTORY. ONE MAGNIFICENT CHAMPAGNE!

70% Chardonnay – The Heart of Origine

Now here's the first thing that makes this wine so appealing.

70% CHARDONNAY!

That is a substantial proportion of Chardonnay.

And it defines the character of Origine.

Chardonnay contributes elegance.

Freshness.

And beautiful aromatic purity.

Think white peaches.

Nectarines.

Fresh pears.

And delicate citrus.

It also provides the mineral precision that makes Chardonnay-dominant Champagne so attractive.

The palate is vibrant.

The finish is wonderfully refreshing.

And the fruit remains beautifully defined.

For anyone who loves the elegance of Blanc de Blancs Champagne but enjoys a little additional richness, this is a magnificent style.

70% CHARDONNAY – BEAUTIFUL ELEGANCE, PURITY AND FRESHNESS!

20% Pinot Noir – Depth and Structure

The next component is Pinot Noir.

20%!

And although Chardonnay dominates the blend, Pinot Noir plays an important supporting role.

It contributes depth.

Structure.

And additional fruit concentration.

It brings a subtle richness to the palate.

A beautiful orchard-fruit character.

And a wonderfully satisfying texture.

The result is a Champagne with greater substance than a purely delicate Chardonnay style.

But without sacrificing freshness.

20% PINOT NOIR – BEAUTIFUL DEPTH AND STRUCTURE!

10% Meunier – Generosity and Approachability

The final component is Meunier.

10%!

And this is another important part of the blend.

Meunier is renowned for contributing approachable fruit character.

Roundness.

And generosity.

It complements the precision of Chardonnay.

And the structure of Pinot Noir.

The result is a Champagne with beautiful harmony.

Freshness from Chardonnay.

Depth from Pinot Noir.

And a generous, welcoming texture from Meunier.

70% CHARDONNAY. 20% PINOT NOIR. 10% MEUNIER.

A BEAUTIFULLY BALANCED CHAMPAGNE BLEND!

Reserve Wines – Additional Complexity and Depth

Another important element is the use of reserve wines.

These are wines retained from previous harvests.

And they play a significant role in Champagne production.

Reserve wines allow the winemaker to introduce additional complexity.

Texture.

And consistency.

A documented 2021-base release of Origine included approximately 30% reserve wines.

That is a meaningful proportion.

And it helps explain the wine's wonderful balance between freshness and maturity.

The younger wines contribute vibrant fruit.

The reserve wines bring additional depth.

And together they create a beautifully harmonious Champagne.

RESERVE WINES – EXTRAORDINARY BALANCE BETWEEN FRESHNESS AND COMPLEXITY!

Adrien Bergère – A New Generation of Champagne Winemaking

One of the reasons we find this producer particularly exciting is Adrien Bergère.

Adrien joined the family estate in 2014.

And brought with him a detailed approach to winemaking.

He began exploring the individual characteristics of the family's vineyards.

Vinifying selected parcels separately.

And introducing oak into parts of the winemaking process.

The aim is to preserve the identity of each terroir.

Rather than allowing a broad house style to dominate.

For Origine, the emphasis is on the beautiful fruit character of the family's historic vineyards.

But selected releases also demonstrate the contribution of carefully managed wood maturation.

This can provide additional texture.

Subtle savoury complexity.

And wonderful depth.

Without overwhelming the freshness of Chardonnay.

TRADITIONAL FAMILY VINEYARDS – WITH A MODERN, TERROIR-FOCUSED WINEMAKING PHILOSOPHY!

Just 4 g/L Dosage – Remarkable Freshness and Precision

Now here's another reason this Champagne is so compelling.

JUST 4 GRAMS PER LITRE!

That is the dosage documented by the estate for its 2021-base Origine Brut.

And it is a beautifully restrained level.

Dosage is the small addition made after disgorgement to balance the finished Champagne.

At 4 g/L, there is very little sweetness to distract from the fruit.

The Chardonnay remains vibrant.

The citrus is beautifully defined.

And the finish is wonderfully fresh.

The wine has a lovely creamy texture.

But it never feels heavy.

That is the magic of a beautifully balanced Champagne.

JUST 4 g/L DOSAGE – MAGNIFICENT PURITY AND FRESHNESS!

92 Points – John Gilman

SERIOUS RECOGNITION FOR THIS OUTSTANDING GROWER CHAMPAGNE!

White Peach, Nectarine, Brioche and Beautiful Mineral Freshness

Now this is where A. Bergère Origine really comes into its own.

In the glass, the Champagne displays a beautiful pale-gold colour.

The bubbles are fine.

And the mousse is wonderfully persistent.

The aromas are fresh and inviting.

White peaches.

Ripe nectarines.

Fresh pears.

And green apples.

Then come the more complex characters.

Lemon zest.

Delicate white flowers.

Fresh brioche.

And toasted almonds.

On the palate, the wine is beautifully balanced.

There is wonderful fruit concentration.

A creamy texture.

And vibrant acidity.

The Chardonnay provides freshness and elegance.

The Pinot Noir contributes depth.

And the Meunier adds a lovely generosity.

The finish is long.

Fresh.

Mineral.

And beautifully persistent.

A MAGNIFICENT COMBINATION OF CHARDONNAY ELEGANCE, CREAMY TEXTURE AND WONDERFUL FRESHNESS!

A Magnificent Champagne for Food

One of the great attractions of Chardonnay-dominant Champagne is its versatility.

And Origine is a magnificent example.

Fresh Coffin Bay Oysters

The Champagne's citrus freshness complements the delicate salinity of oysters.

Kingfish Sashimi

Beautiful with the wine's mineral precision.

Seared Scallops

The creamy texture complements sweet scallops.

Fresh Australian Prawns

A magnificent pairing with fresh seafood.

Blue Swimmer Crab

Wonderful with delicate crab dishes.

Grilled Snapper

The Champagne's freshness complements beautifully cooked fish.

Roast Chicken

The Pinot Noir and Meunier components provide enough richness to complement roast poultry.

Goat's Cheese

Beautiful with the wine's vibrant acidity.

Serve at approximately 8–10°C to appreciate its freshness and texture.

Why We Love This Wine at Liquid Vibe

At Liquid Vibe, we are particularly passionate about discovering exciting grower Champagnes that offer genuine individuality.

And A. Bergère Origine is exactly that sort of wine.

First, there is the producer.

A HISTORIC FAMILY ESTATE WITH ROOTS DATING BACK TO 1848!

Then there is the winemaker.

ADRIEN BERGÈRE!

Then there is the region.

VALLÉE DU PETIT MORIN!

Then there is the blend.

70% CHARDONNAY!

20% PINOT NOIR!

10% MEUNIER!

Then there is the dosage.

JUST 4 g/L!

Then come the scores.

92 POINTS JOHN GILMAN!

And finally, there is the price.

JUST $122 A BOTTLE!

For anyone who loves elegant, Chardonnay-dominant Champagne with beautiful freshness and genuine grower character, this is an outstanding choice.

A Champagne with history.

A Champagne with pedigree.

And a wine that demonstrates why the next generation of Champagne growers is so exciting.

92 POINTS JOHN GILMAN. 70% CHARDONNAY. THREE HISTORIC VILLAGES. JUST 4 g/L DOSAGE. JUST $122.

A. Bergère Origine Brut – a magnificent introduction to one of Champagne's most exciting family growers.

Wine Details

• Producer: Champagne A. Bergère

• Wine: Origine Brut

• Vintage: Non-Vintage

• Region: Champagne, France

• Subregion: Vallée du Petit Morin

• Villages: Fèrebrianges, Étoges and Congy

• Family Winegrowing History: Dating back to 1848

• Champagne House Founded: 1949

• Winemaker: Adrien Bergère

• Grape Varieties: 70% Chardonnay, 20% Pinot Noir, 10% Meunier

• Vineyard Soils: Chalk, limestone, sand and clay

• Production: Traditional-method bottle fermentation

• Reserve Wines: 30% in a documented 2021-base release

• Dosage: 4 g/L in the estate's 2021-base release; older releases vary

• Style: Chardonnay-dominant Brut Grower Champagne

• Alcohol: Approximately 12%

• Aromas: White peach, nectarine, pear, citrus, white flowers and brioche

• Palate: Creamy and structured, with fine mousse, vibrant acidity and a refreshing mineral finish

• Published Critic Scores: 92 Points – John Gilman

• RRP: $122 per bottle

• Food Pairing: Oysters, sashimi, scallops, prawns, crab, grilled fish and goat's cheese

• Serving Temperature: 8–10°C

• Drinking: Beautiful now, with short-to-medium-term cellaring potential under suitable conditions