Have you ever experienced that magical moment when a sip of champagne stops you in your tracks? That’s precisely what happened when I first encountered Crucifix Père et Fils, a Premier Cru producer from Avenay-Val-d’Or. After delighting connoisseurs across the globe for generations, this champagne house finally brings its extraordinary bubbles to Dutch soil in 2024, offering us a taste of authentic craftsmanship that feels like discovering a precious secret.
A Legacy Five Generations Deep
Nestled on the eastern slopes of Montagne de Reims, just east of Epernay, Crucifix Père et Fils represents champagne heritage at its finest. When I met Sébastien Crucifix, the fifth-generation owner, his passion was immediately evident. This family estate maintains an unwavering dedication to authenticity while perfecting its craft through the decades.
What struck me most was Sébastien’s approach—he embraces the unique character of each vintage, avoiding bitter notes (his personal preference) while allowing the terroir to speak through every bottle. Want to see true craftsmanship? Look no further than their Épitre Act 18 bottles, meticulously hand-bound with hemp cord and sealed with wax—a labor-intensive process that reflects the house’s devotion to tradition.
The Distinguished Terroir of Avenay-Val-d’Or
What makes Crucifix Père et Fils special to Dutch champagne lovers? It starts with location. The estate sits in Avenay-Val-d’Or, classified as Premier Cru within the Champagne region—a designation reserved for vineyards of exceptional quality. The clay-limestone soils create ideal conditions for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vines, imparting distinct mineral characteristics that form the backbone of these remarkable champagnes.
This specific terroir, combined with Sébastien’s philosophy of minimal intervention, allows for wines of remarkable purity and expression. Rather than manipulating the wine to fit a predetermined style, Crucifix creates champagnes that truly reflect their origin—increasingly rare in today’s market.
The Signature Extra Brut: A Study in Elegant Complexity
The jewel in Crucifix’s Dutch debut, their Signature Extra Brut exemplifies everything that makes this house exceptional. This distinguished cuvée comprises 80% Chardonnay and 20% Pinot Noir—a thoughtfully calibrated blend achieving perfect balance between structure and finesse.
When I tasted it, I was astonished by its complexity—the result of an extraordinary aging process: fermentation in French oak followed by 84 months of bottle aging. This extended maturation develops a champagne with a nose revealing honey, toasted almond, and hazelnut aromatics. The palate delivers stewed fruit notes complemented by delicate woody and vanilla undertones, all wrapped in a rounded, creamy, and persistent mouthfeel that lingered long after my final sip.
Perfect Companions: From Aperitif to Grand Finale
While exquisite as an aperitif at the recommended 6-8°C, this Signature Extra Brut truly shines alongside carefully selected dishes common in Dutch gastronomy. Its complexity makes it a superb accompaniment to chicken in cream sauce, smoked fish, sautéed scampi, lobster, or crayfish—dishes where its nuanced character both complements and elevates the dining experience.
With its 12.5% alcohol content and precise balance, this 2016 vintage represents the perfect intersection of power and elegance, capable of transforming an ordinary meal into a memorable occasion.
A Welcome Addition to Your Dutch Wine Journey
Crucifix Père et Fils exemplifies what happens when tradition, terroir, and time harmonize perfectly. Its arrival in the Netherlands offers you a rare opportunity to experience champagne that defies convention while honoring heritage.
Ready to venture beyond familiar labels dominating Dutch wine shops? Discover these distinctive bubbles that tell the story of five generations, a special place, and a passionate winemaker dedicated to creating something truly extraordinary. Your taste buds will thank you.
Thanks for sending me this bottle www.bubbelsvanamar.nl
