Sometimes, you fall in love with a wine because of its label. That’s precisely what happened to me with Edouard Duval’s wines. The labels are so elegant, stylish, and sophisticated. I got curious and looked up the story behind these beautiful champagnes, wanting to know more about these Vigneron Champagnes made with a zero Herbicide and sustainable approach.
I reached out to the winery, and guess what? Edouard Duval, the owner himself, replied! We had an awesome video call where I learned so much about the bottles and their stories. I also got to taste four of the most elegant and beautiful champagnes you could imagine. It’s estate champagne, 100% their own single monopole from the Côte des Bar, spread across one big hill.
Huge thanks to Edouard Duval for sending me these amazing champagnes and for the great conversation and info.
The Making of a Perfect Champagne
According to Edouard, it starts with understanding the terroir. The unique terroir of the Champagne region dramatically influences the quality of the champagne we produce. The vineyard plots’ soil, rich in marls and Jurassic limestone with oyster fossils, provides minerals that give each sip a distinct minerality and depth. This mix of limestone, clay, calcium carbonate, and ancient marine elements creates a terroir where the grapes develop complex flavors, which are crucial for making the exceptional Edouard Duval Champagne varieties.
Innovative Winemaking Techniques
At Edouard Duval, winemaking is a combination of tradition and innovation. The traditional method of secondary fermentation in the bottle, typical of the Champagne region, is used to develop the champagne’s signature bubbles and flavors. They also experiment with oak aging in demi-muids and use reserve wines to enhance the complexity and richness through careful blending. This approach respects the legacy of champagne making while offering a unique experience with each bottle, from Edouard Duval Brut D’Eulalie to Edouard Duval Saignee d’Eulalie Champagne.
The story behind the bottles
The Domaine Edouard Duval is in the heart of the Côte des Bar, and Sainte Eulalie is located in the commune of Bligny in the Bar-sur-Aubois. It’s an exceptional domain, Monopole of Sainte Eulalie, with 28 hectares of continuous and contiguous vineyards.
With a long history that started in the 11th century, the Priory of Sainte Eulalie was donated by the Abbaye de Cluny to the Abbaye de Clairvaux. In 1095, the Priory of Sainte Eulalie was founded. In the 1950s, Charles Roger Duval (Edouard’s grandfather) purchased the domain.
Fast-forward to the year 2000, when Edouard Duval inherited the Domaine and began restoration. His goal was to transition from a grape grower to a vigneron de Champagne, making Champagne from his own grapes. In 2019, Champagne Edouard Duval was launched. According to Edouard, by 2025, they aim to produce 100,000 meticulously crafted bottles, with more to come.
The unique aspects of the terroir
Edouard and his team checked out the geology of the Côte des Bar hillside and found that the layers are way more varied than they expected. Like the Brut d’Eulalie, there are four soil horizons, each adding its twist. Horizon 0 brings metallic smoke, elegance, and exotic citrus fruits. Horizon 1 is about clean and precise smoky limestone, typical of marly limestones. Horizon 2 offers fresh veggies, crunchy pears, grapes, and apples. And Horizon 3 adds finesse with stony, smoky limestone and a hint of iodine.
“Our Mission is to perpetuate a wine cultivation respectful of Cluny Abbey’s Heritage by translating its terroir’s singularity in each of our Champagnes.” This quote by Edouard Duval perfectly captures his passion, which you can truly feel in the champagnes.
Ready for the future with a sustainable approach
Above all, Edouard Duval emphasizes the importance of respecting the terroir and the environment to maintain an ecological, sustainable, and respectful approach to nature and the ancestral history of the domain. The values of humility, exigence, and curiosity guide their practices. Sustainable viticulture at Edouard Duval starts in the vineyard, which spans 28 hectares of old vines. The soils are managed for optimal yields, and a team of 10 full-time workers tends to the vines daily. The vineyard is primarily planted with Pinot Noir and 20% Chardonnay, with no external grapes or wines purchased. Loyal harvesters who have worked with the vineyard for over 15 years ensure a manual and precise harvest.
Each plot is isolated during vinification, and the grapes are gently pressed. The musts are separated in the cellar, with some fermenting in barrels and aging on lees. Edouard Duval also produces a rosé de Saignée, where the best Pinot Noir bunches are double-sorted and macerated to highlight the terroir and maintain freshness.
Aging takes nine months on lees in barrels or stainless-steel tanks, followed by tastings to predict the wines’ evolution. Some blends are bottled immediately, while others are reserved. After bottling, a second fermentation occurs in the cellars, where the wines age for 3 to 10 years. This process enhances complexity, focusing on grape maturity and natural sugar with low dosage (Extra Brut) without adding more at disgorgement (Brut Nature).
Personal tasting notes of the key varieties
I got to try almost every Edouard Duval champagne. I say nearly because they have this super special one, the Millesime 2015 Brut Nature. That one’s too special to review in an article, so I’ll need to visit the winery to taste it.
The four champagnes I did try are all unique in their ways. They’re easy to enjoy and approachable but also complex and refined. Let me take you through my tasting journey. Edouard Duval sent me these champagnes, but Edouard clarified that I had to give my honest opinion.
Champagne Edouard Duval Brut Eulalie
The Brut Eulalie is a mix of primarily Pinot Noir from four old vine plots on the upper slopes of the estate and some Chardonnay from the “L’épicea” area. Around a quarter of the wines are fermented and aged in Burgundian demi-muids, while the rest hang out in stainless steel tanks. It’s got 77% Pinot Noir and 23% Chardonnay.
The color is a golden yellow with rich aromas of green apple, lemon and lime zest, peach, grapefruit, red cherry, and a bit of raspberry. The palette is full and rich, with notes of apple, lime, lemon, peach, wet stone, and a nice crispy medium (+) acidity. The mouse is elegant and gentle making it very approachable. It has a full body and a long finish with a nice minerality in the aftertaste, making it a champagne perfect for everyone.
I loved this one because it’s so well-rounded and accessible. It’s not too complex, but still serious enough to impress everyone.
The price at the winery is: € 41,50
Champagne Edouard Duval Noir d’Eulalie
The Noir d’Eulalie is a blanc de noirs made just from Pinot Noir from 3 spots on the top of the hill. About 40% of the wines are aged in Demi-Muids Bourguignons. This Champagne is pretty rare and special, coming from a plot-based and old-school process. It really shows off the unique Pinot Noir from our oyster marl terroir. It’s a 100% Pinot Noir blanc de noirs, so it’s not red or rosé but white.
The color is a golden yellow with the aromas of green apple, ripe pear, red cherry, pomelo, and blackberry, along with some subtle woody hints that remind you of toast and a touch of vanilla and smoky almonds that really showcase its unique terroir and old vines. The taste is full and fresh with green apple, ripe pear, and subtle notes of red cherry, pomelo, and blackberry. You’ll also get the toast, brioche, and a hint of vanilla, along with smoky almonds, medium (+) acidity, and a long, crisp, mineral finish that makes it a truly special and elegant Champagne. The mouse is gentle but present. Its low dosage makes it extra brut, gently dry but not too dry, making it super enjoyable to drink.
It’s an intense, complex, and refreshing wine that packs a punch of energy. Because of its structure, you can really feel how special this one is.
The price at the winery is: €50,00
Champagne Edouard Duval Blanc d’Eulalie
The Blanc d’Eulalie is crafted from top-notch chardonnays from “L’Epicéa,” the sunniest spot on the estate, planted over 50 years ago. About 40% of the wines are fermented and aged in demi-Muids Bourguignons and offered with minimal dosage to retain all their essence. It’s 100% Chardonnay, and the clear glass bottle makes it super appealing. Edouard said it’s a tribute to the family, whose grandfather comes originally from Cote des Blancs.
The color is a light golden yellow, and the aromas are of flowers, acacia, roses, violets, some wet stone, and fruits like red apple, pear, cream, butter, nuts, almonds, and a hint of smoke. The palate is packed with flavors like butter-baked apple, warm apple pie, pear, yeast, cream, vanilla, smoked almonds, and marzipan—all with a nice, gentle, and smooth medium (+) acidity and a long, elegant finish. The mouse is gentle and elegant.
I loved this one because of its vibrant, structure, delicacy, and elegance. It has lots of floral, fruity, and nutty aromas and flavors. It was awesome with some fish. I totally get why this is a tribute to the family.
The price at the winery is: €53,50
Champagne Edouard Duval Saignée d’Eulalie
The Saignée d’Eulalie is a cool rosé made from a careful selection of Pinot Noir grapes from the oldest vines on the estate. They sort the bunches right in the vineyard, then again on a table before destemming, and finally put them in maceration tanks. They rack the wine to keep it fresh, fruity, and elegant in both flavor and color. It’s 100% Pinot Noir, using the Saignée method, where they “bleed” off some of the red wine juice after a short time with the grape skins. This gives it the prettiest rose, salmon-orange-pinkish color I’ve ever seen in a champagne. This Champagne is in high demand because it pairs well with food, and I totally get it. It goes great with fish and cheese and is also perfect on its own.
The color is a rose, salmon-orange-pinkish no to pink, with aromas of fresh strawberry, pomelo, lemon, red cherry, raspberry, and floral notes like violets and roses with some spices and herbs, from cinnamon, rosemary, thyme, sage, and even a touch of marzipan, hazelnuts, and almonds mixed with some tomato leaves. The palate is full of fresh red fruit like strawberries and raspberries, with perfectly balanced medium (+) acidity and very low, almost non-existent tannins, just enough to give it some structure. The mouse is perfectly creamy. It’s nicely dry, somewhere between an extra brut and a brut, with a long finish that brings back that nice minerality. It’s a gentle, delicate Champagne with a festive vibe perfect for any day.
I really loved this one because of the fresh red fruit characters mixed with spices and herbs, all coming together with an excellent structure and complexity.
The price at the winery is: €61,50
How to Choose the Right Edouard Duval Champagne
When picking out the perfect Edouard Duval Champagne, there are a few things to consider to ensure you get the right bottle for your event. Here are some tips and factors to keep in mind:
Tips for Selection
- Think About the Occasion: Different types of Edouard Duval Champagne fit different events. A Brut Eulalie is a good all-rounder for celebrations, while the Saignée d’Eulalie might be perfect for a festive vibe.
- Special and rare option: If you want something unique and special, try the Noir d’Eulalie, made entirely from 100% Pinot Noir grapes.
- Get to Know the Grape Varieties: Edouard Duval Champagnes usually mix Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The way these grapes are balanced shapes the flavor. For example, the Blanc d’Eulalie, made entirely from Chardonnay, is super elegant.
- Check the Dosage: The dosage, which is how much sugar gets added after the second fermentation and disgorging, determines the sweetness. You can go from Extra Brut (extra-dry) to Brut (dry).
Conclusion
Edouard Duval Champagne stands out not just for its elegant and sophisticated labels, but for the exceptional quality and unique flavors that each bottle offers. From the careful cultivation of the vineyards to the innovative winemaking techniques, Edouard Duval’s commitment to excellence is evident in every sip. Whether you are celebrating a special occasion or simply want to enjoy a glass of something extraordinary, Edouard Duval Champagnes are the perfect choice. Their dedication to sustainable practices and respect for terroir ensures that every bottle is not only a testament to the art of winemaking but also a reflection of the rich heritage of the Champagne region. Thanks again, Edouard Duval, for this great journey!
More Info about Edouard Duval Champagne: champagne-duval.com
