Presentation
For over a century, Domaine Bonnet Gilmert has honed its craft in the heart of the Côte des Blancs, the cradle of great Chardonnay champagnes. Based in Oger a Grand Cru village the estate exclusively cultivates Chardonnay on chalky soils that lend finesse and striking minerality to its wines. While many Champagne houses blend grape varieties, Bonnet Gilmert focuses solely on the purity of Chardonnay. Vinified exclusively in stainless steel, the wines retain their natural tension and freshness. Harvesting is done by hand, ensuring optimal grape selection. Prolonged aging on lees sometimes for up to five years brings out delicate brioche notes and remarkable aromatic complexity, all while maintaining a fine and elegant mousse. These are precision-driven champagnes, distinguished by bright aromas of citrus and white flowers, a silky texture, and a subtle saline finish a pure expression of the exceptional terroir of Oger.
Location
"Secrets d’Avize" comes exclusively from the renowned village of Avize, a Grand Cru site in the heart of the Côte des Blancs. Nestled between Oger and Cramant, just south of Épernay, Avize is famed for producing Chardonnay wines of remarkable finesse—combining freshness, tension and discreet power. Bonnet-Gilmert’s parcels are planted on well-exposed hillsides, mainly facing east and southeast, which ensures slow, even ripening of the grapes. The moderate altitude and cooling winds from the Champagne plateau help retain excellent natural acidity. This unique geographical setting, both sheltered and open, yields balanced, elegant wines with fine structure and great ageing potential.
Terroir
Avize sits on pure Campanian chalk, lying close to the surface. This light, friable, and highly draining soil encourages deep vine roots, regulated water intake, and contributes intense, structuring minerality to the grapes. The chalk also acts as a natural thermal regulator, releasing moisture and warmth gradually. The local climate is temperate, with moderate temperature swings and good ventilation—ideal for slow, steady ripening. These conditions give Chardonnay a precise, linear expression, with chalky, citrus-driven notes and great tension. Avize’s terroir imparts a distinctly straight, racy character, perfectly suited to lovers of pure, deep Blanc de Blancs.
In the vineyard
Bonnet-Gilmert follows a sustainable, reasoned viticulture approach, with great care for the natural balance of the vineyard. Soils are worked mechanically without herbicides, promoting aeration and healthy microbial life. Natural grass cover is managed to reduce erosion and encourage biodiversity. Phytosanitary treatments are used sparingly, based on the actual needs of the vine. Yield control, green harvesting when necessary, and careful canopy management help to produce healthy, concentrated, and balanced grapes. Each action is guided by observation and respect for the vine’s natural rhythm, with the goal of revealing the terroir’s identity without artifice.
Harvest
Harvesting is done entirely by hand, as required by Champagne tradition, to preserve the grapes’ integrity and allow for meticulous selection in the vineyard. Chardonnay grapes are picked at optimal ripeness, usually early in the morning to maintain their aromatic freshness. The bunches are then quickly transported to the estate’s press, where they undergo gentle handling: slow pressing, careful juice separation, and precise settling. This painstaking care during harvest is crucial to the purity and quality of the juice. Plot-by-plot vinification then allows the unique character of Avize to shine through in the “Secrets d’Avize” cuvée—with elegance, tension, and length.
Winemaking
Winemaking is low-intervention by design. Alcoholic fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, preserving the Chardonnay’s freshness and aromatic precision. Depending on the vintage, a small proportion may be aged in oak barrels to add structure and complexity. Malolactic fermentation is partially carried out to balance natural acidity with mouthfeel and texture.
Ageing
After blending, the wines are bottled for secondary fermentation and then aged on fine lees for a minimum of 36 months in the cellar. This extended ageing develops a refined mousse, aromatic depth, and a silky texture. Disgorgement is carried out with no or very low dosage, affirming an Extra Brut style that is precise, linear, and intensely mineral.
Varietal
Chardonnay : 100%
Specifications
Age of vines : 45 years old
Serving
Serve chilled, between 8°C and 10°C (46°F to 50°F), ideally in a white wine tulip glass to enhance aromatic expression. Enjoy as an apéritif or at the table with delicate, mineral-driven cuisine.
Ageing potential
5 to 10 years
Tasting
Appearance: Pale yellow with silver highlights, bright and luminous, with a fine and persistent mousse.
Nose: Precise and pure, with notes of citrus zest, green apple, vine blossom, and the unmistakable signature of wet chalk.
Palate: A crisp, linear attack with a beautiful mineral tension. The acidity is finely chiseled, the texture nervy yet elegant, and the finish long and saline, with nuances of flint, lime zest, and a touch of light toast.
Food pairings
This Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs is a perfect match for seafood (oysters, scallop carpaccio, ceviche), grilled fish, or elegant vegetarian dishes. It also pairs beautifully with aged hard cheeses such as Comté, Parmesan, or a chalky tomme. Its purity and tension make it a go-to Champagne for iodized, citrusy, or plant-based cuisine.