The Jean Josselin Cuvée Des Jean Extra Brut Champagne NV is a GIWC top 20 winner from Gyé sur Seine, France.
The Josselin family have been winegrowers in Gyé sur Seine since 1854, with Jean Josselin founding the family champagne brand in 1957. His son Jean-Pierre joined him in the 1980s and now owns the winery with his wife Véronique. Their son Jean-Félix is the current winemaker, and daughter Lucile works in the office. It is a very small family winery.
The soils in Champagne are unique to the winemaking process. Limestone and clay marl sits atop the ancient Kimmeridgian sub-soil, where it is not unusual to unearth fossilized shells. Once harvested from the rich soils, the Pinot Noir grapes are given extreme care in the production process. The grape clusters are pressed with a traditional basket press that takes four hours, from which the clear juice runs into a trough and then a holding tank before being processed into wine.
The most exciting thing about the Champagne is its elegance. Made from 100 percent Pinot Noir grapes, the wine is surprisingly clear considering the red fruit. As an extra-brut, it is fresh, fruity and easy to drink.
“It leaves you thirsty for more!” Said Sharona Tsubota, Export Manager at Champagne Jean Josselin.
The wine is appealing white fruit on the nose and fresh and delightful on the palate, with a pleasant lightness on the finish. Tsubota would not hesitate to drink the wine during a meal and suggests pairing it with white meats like chicken or pork, cheeses, and snacks such as popcorn or tortilla chips.
The house style bottle is made to enjoy at a young age while it is still fresh and fruity. Long term ageing and oxidation does not mix well with Jean Josselin Champagne, so it is best opened within a few years of release. As a true Blanc de Noirs, the Cuvée des Jean appeals to Pinot Noir lovers and white wine drinkers alike.
FAST FACTS:
Winery Name: Champagne Jean Josselin
Location: Gyé sur Seine
Region & Country: Champagne, France
Grape Variety/Varieties: Pinot Noir
'Fun Fact' about the wine/winery/winemaker? It is named after the three generations of Jean who have been champagne makers - Jean, Jean-Pierre, Jean-Félix. Lucile (Third generation) has a young son named Jean, so there is a fourth-generation waiting in the wings!
