Champagne De Sousa owns 8 hectares of deeply chalky vineyards planted with 50% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir and 10% Pinot Meunier, characterised by the very high percentage (70%) of vines of more than 35 years old, planted by his father in 1933.

In fact, the average age of the vines is 38 years. The density is 8,500 rootstocks per hectare and pruning is done either according to the Chablis method or the Royat Cordon system. The production is around 50 hectolitres per hectare, making a total of 55,000 – 60,000 bottles. Quantity is very low and great quality wine is made.

One of the outstanding features of Champagne De Sousa is that Erick De Sousa pursues natural viticulture and remains loyal to biodynamic vitiviniculture. It is a way of life, which he is eager to share with others, he is has always been ready to give advice and guidance in this field, fired by his deep respect of Nature and the environment.
Erick de Sousa’s philosophy is echoed in the attention that he pays to his land, his vines and his Grand Cru “terroir” that gives him the opportunity to produce excellent Champagne – the origin of which is impeccably healthy and perfect quality grapes.All aspects of viticulture are the fruit of Erick De Sousa’s belief in organic farming methods and his minimum intervention philosophy.

The use of organic fertiliser, natural compost (produced on the property), preparations containing minerals and plants as treatments (nettles, valerian, dandelion, …), natural predators to fight insect invasion, aerating the soil, deleafing, trimming, etc. are all fine tuned and adapted to the demands of the soil and the vintage conditions and aimed at extracting the full expression of the exceptional “terroir” and emphasising the individuality of his wines.

This captures all the vivacity, refinement and elegance of the optimum ripeness of the grapes, which grow on the best chalky soils. The roots are encouraged to delve deep into this soil and produce density and complexity in the wine due to the stimulation of all the microbiological life, which in turn transmits various elements of the soil characteristics to the plant.

But wonderful grapes have to be vinified meticulously in order to enhance their aromas and flavours and to transform them into a mature Champagne, ready to be relished. Erick De Sousa is a pragmatic, realistic man and has made the right decisions, hence his tremendous success.After assuring the best possible potential in the vines, the philosophy of minimum intervention and natural oenology win the day in the cellars of Champagne De Sousa.The press has been chosen extremely carefully and is set like a fine tuned instrument to coax the juice from the grapes without causing any stress.
Vinification is in small wooden vats, keeping the various plots separately, using only indigenous yeasts and treating the young wine with immaculate care and gentleness. Champagne De Sousa is declined in different Champagnes depending upon grape variety, age of vines, and the terroir that it reflects.

Brut Tradition is a blend of 60% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir and 10% Pinot Meunier, giving a harmonious, supple and mellow, yet quite powerful Champagne. Brut Réserve Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs is 100% Chardonnay. Wine connoisseurs find this wine particularly attractive and pleasing due to the delicate aromas and to its freshness and its purity, a testimony to the excellence of its terroir.
Brut Rosé with 92% Chardonnay (from the village of Grauves) and 8% Pinot Noir (from Ay – aged for one year in oak casks) demonstrate different characteristics in this lively Champagne. Fresh red fruit flavours balance beautifully with crispness and energy, while remaining refined. Cuvée des Caudalies Grand Cru is a passionate wine, “born of the desire to produce quality and acquiring the means so to do”, which could be the motto of the De Sousa family.

The term Caudalie denotes the persistence of the aromatic expression of a wine on the palate measured in seconds – 1 Caudalie = approx. 1 second. The grapes come from very specific vineyards with a particular soil composition.
Vines are over 38 years old.Adhering to his father’s traditional vinification practices, the manually harvested, very ripe grapes, of great depth and richness impart a clear, golden colour to the wine, with the slightest hint of green reflections. The refined nose is delicately marked by the woody aromas, yet it remains elegant, harmonious and mellow Champagne of remarkable richness.

Cuvée des Caudalies Vintage Grand Cru is only produced in outstanding vintages, which mean long, hot summers, long and frequent sunny days creating exceptional ripeness and high sugar levels. The age of the vines also fulfils an essential role; they are all over half a century old, whilst biodynamic and organic viticulture participate in the harmony, directing microbiological energy exactly where it is needed.

The soil adds to the unique environment and is composed of loam and limestone over a deep layer of Belemnite chalk, created by fossilised, Upper Cretaceous Era molluscs. These precious nutrientsenetrate the profoundly embedded roots to infuse a distinct minerality into this special cuvée.
The continuous care to the vineyards, and of course their great age, assure low yields and ideally exposed bunches. Made from hand picked grapes and aged in oak barrels, the Champagne becomes deep and long, yet the minerality confers a delightful freshness to the rich and complex wine.

The finish lasts several for “Caudalies” ! It does not happen very often that all the prerequisites combine and are present simultaneously. Meticulous selection then is required to ensure appropriate quality.
Cuvée des Caudalies Vintage can either be 100% Chardonnay or 100% Pinot Noir, or even a blend of the two, depending upon the vintage. This is a very individualistic Champagne, with a decided personality and need laying down to develop and bring out all its extensive complexity of aromas and nuances. An exceptional wine !

However, a dilemma faced the success of the De Sousa family, both custom and legislations forbid a grower /vinifier to sell more than he produces. The solution was to become a wine shipper and "Ame de Terroirs" was founded. In 2004, a new brand, honouring the De Sousa values and upholding their quality, Champagne Zoémie De Sousa, saw the light of day.
It was called after the mother of Erick De Sousa, who was also the founder of Champagne De Sousa et Fils. Brut Tradition called Cuvée Merveille, Brut Réserve called Cuvée Précieuse, Brut Rosé called Cuvée Distinguée, Champagne Demi – Sec called Cuvée Doucereuse and the equivalent of Cuvée des Caudalies, made with old vines and vinified in oak barrel is called Cuvée Désirable.

The philosophy, which is applied to all the vineyards under the control of Erick De Sousa, is identical to that which he has always had. Buying either partial or entire crops from other producers, depending on the contracts concluded
between them. Not only can he now work as a shipper (nécogiant), but he is able to enlarge and to diversity the range of wines that he has to offer, whilst remaining faithful to their “terroir” and aromatic composition.

The vinification centre and the cellars are also in Avise, in the heart of the vineyards classified 100% Chardonnay Grand Cru. The same drastic selection of grapes, and care in pressing them apply, as for Champagne De Sousa. The wine is aged in barrels from the specialist cooper, Eric Verdier, because of the particularity of the toasting of his barrels, which corresponds to Erick De Sousa’s criteria.

These beautifully enhance his wine.Brut Merveille is an authentic aperitif Champagne with elegant refinement and a rare, divine minerality. The grapes for Brut Précieuse (100% Chardonnay) come from wonderful plots in Avize, Oger, Cramant and Le Mesnil sur Oger. This very delicate Champagne is lively and fresh, yet has an astounding depth of aromatic expression that greatly pleases Champagne connoisseurs.
The wine is vinified from plots of land, which do not belong to Erick De Sousa, but where the proprietors are eager to adhere to his philosophy and to profit from his experience and “savoir – faire”. Brut Grand Cru Désirable

2000 is also 100% Chardonnay from Avise (70%) and Oger (30%).
Aromas reminiscent of ripe, white fruit (pear), delicately spiced with a hint of vanilla. These flavours will mellow even more as the wine matures.The company name, "Ame de Terroir", truly reflects the principles of Erick De Sousa and his family, and each one of the Champagnes of the Zoémie De Sousa range is a signature to a great lady and a dear mother.

De Sousa is faithful to his “beloved terroir” and will continue to ensure that it produces excellent, authentic Champagne for wine lovers to enjoy all over the world.

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