Grower Champagne Paired Dinner

Christophe Mignon

Christophe Mignon might very well be the finest grower in Champagne most people have not heard about. Located just outside the tiny village of Festigny, Mignon farms a mere 6 ha, planted almost exclusively to Pinot Meunier. The vines were planted by his great-grandparents and are spread among thirty parcels between the villages of Le Breuil and Festigny in the Vallee de la Marne.  While it would be simplest to describe Mignon’s approach as biodynamic, it is much more complex and dynamic than that. 

Mignon has practiced biodynamics for 16 years and followed the lunar calendar for 20 years, allowing the moon’s cycles to dictate his work in the vineyards and in the cellar.  Harvests adhere strictly to this calendar, as do tirage and disgorgment. In essence, Mignon strives to follow the rhythm of nature and this informs each decision he makes. While this might seem a tad esoteric to some, the results are well worth the potential befuddlement.  

For the most part, Christophe does all the primary fermentation in stainless steel with ambient yeasts, while only the reserve wine is held in oak foudre. He strives to vinify each parcel in a separate tank in order to distinguish the unique qualities of each micro-climate. The non-vintage Champagnes spend a minimum of 24 months in bottle before disgorgement, while the vintage wines may spend as long as five or six years. Christophe uses the bare minimum of sulphur at bottling and the majority of his cuvees are bottled without any dosage.  The resulting wines offer a delightful balance between intellectual and visceral enjoyment. They are at once vinous and rich, with complex brioche notes and herbal inflections, but also fresh and simply enjoyable. 

Christophe may have a very complex philosophy, but he also believes that Champagne should be enjoyed and not fawned over. Christophe is a serious winemaker, but not too serious, and seemed always to have a smile on his face, even when expounding the complexities of cosmic energy and the importance of the lunar cycle. Put plainly, Christophe makes some of the most interesting and delicious Champagnes out there and they need to be enjoyed.

Price: $210/p + HST & Gratuity

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Wines to be Poured:

• Rose de Saignee ADN de Meunier 
• ADN de Foudre Meunier 
• ADN de Foudre Pinot Noir 
• ADN de Foudre 3 Cepages 
• 2016 Millesime ADN de Meunier

Menu

1st

Seared Scallop 

bruleed grapefruit, salmon roe, beurre blanc, compressed apple 

2nd 

Fried Chicken and Caviar 

smoked crème fraiche, osetra caviar, chive oil 

3rd 

Muscovy Duck Breast 

pomme pavee, burgundy truffle, port jus, glazed carrots 

4th 

Cheese Duo 

albert’s leap, cabra al vino, compote, crackers

We will try to accommodate all dietary restrictions to the best of our abilities.