Wirth-Michel NV Extra Brut 'Orgines'

Champagne Wirth-Michel NV Extra Brut 'Origines' - Coteaux Sud d'Epernay., France
Reg $89 Soul Wine Price $75.65

This is a complicated story but one that is sad and interesting at the same time. We’ve long been fans and support the Champagne house, Jose Michel and this is an extension of their story. Wirth-Michel was started by Antonin Michel’s great, great grandfather, then under the name of Wirth et Fils, which was in operation until 1999, at that time Antonin’s grandfather shuddered the winery and give the winery to his daughter Nathalie. Nathalie decided to preserve the estate and rename it, unfortunately Nathalie was diagnosed with cancer and Antonin came home to take over the estate. Simultaneously Antonin started working at his grandfather’s estate, Jose Michel. In November of the same year, Jose Michel passed away leaving both wineries to Antonin.

Things change quickly in Champagne, when the children are picked to run the family domain, they can’t really do anything until the parents are gone and the control is turned over. We’re seeing huge shifts in winemaking, label changes and overhauling the wineries. It’s pretty dramatic, and for the better I feel. If the kids went to school in Burgundy, typically the wines are raised in wood, if they went to school in Champagne, more stainless steel is used in the upbringing, less sulfur is being used and there are more Brut Zero or no dosage wines being made as an answer to climate change.

There is a lot to talk about in Champagne, but we will set it aside for now and talk about this Champagne. ‘Origines’ is a blend of 70% Meunier and 30% Chardonnay, 70% coming from the 2019 vintage with 30% coming from 2018. Aged in large oak barrels and spending 26 months on lees, 3gl dosage. The wine is bright with tiny bubbles, straw yellow in color with a hint of Brioche, medium weight with great acidity on the finish. Drink with a big ol piece of prime rib this Fourth of July…. Really, Champagne goes with everything. (Jason)