Clos of Champagne: Fine "Enclosure" Champagnes from Vineyards Enclosed by Walls and Hedges: The Story of Clos des Chaulins

Champagnes called "Clos" in French
(i.e. "close")
because they are grown in walled enclosures
to protect the grapes from various dangers,
are explained at the
Grande Marque Champagne Blog
in Clos of Champagne.

We had the pleasure some years ago
of enjoying our near namesake
"Premier Cru" champagne, the

Clos des Chaulins (Pargny les Reims)
Champagne Médot
from near Reims, France,

where the grapes for this champagne,
Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay,
were picked by hand.


In fact, some years ago we took a photo
and still own -- the now empty -- bottle:

The Médot website describes this walled vineyard champagne as a cuvée of three grapes of exceptional quality, producing a champagne with fine bubbles and having a golden color, a bouquet of mocha and toasted almonds, and a full, robust flavor with notes of biscuit and gingerbread. It was recommended as an aperitif before meals, especially with fresh goat cheese.

At Zunftwissen and the Hanseatische Weinhandelsgeschäft Bremen
it is explained that the oldest vines in the Clos des Chaulins vineyard stem from 1927 and that few, but superior quality, grapes with rich constituents are produced, earning the vineyard the appellation "Premier Cru" as of 1985.

A 2009 entry at La Passion Du Vin wrote:

"Le clos des Chaulins (Médot) n'existe plus en tant que cuvée. Champagne Médot, aujourd'hui Champagne Lombard et Médot."

which is given by Google Translator as:

"The [Clos des Chaulins] (Medot) no longer exists as wine, [but rather as] Medot Champagne, Champagne Lombard Medot today."

Clos des Chaulins is still a registered trademark, but alas, Monsieur Bulles reports that Clos des Chaulins is no longer produced as its own vintage brand champagne.

The 68 acres of Clos de Chaulins near the village Pargny-les-Reims and Massife de St. Thierry, limited by a hedge-wall since the year 1927, and planted with 55% Pinot Noir, 10% Chardonnay and 35% Pinot Meunier, now produce grapes for champagne sold under Lombard and Médot brands.

As noted at Google, Lombard & Medot SA now sell the champagne "under Lombard et Cie brand name ... available in fine grocery stores, cellars and restaurants in France, and via distributors in others countries".