When Gilbert Gruet left his small but burgeoning Champagne estate in the early 1980s to plant vineyards in New Mexico his neighbors likely thought he’d lost it. But just a decade later Gruet was already a top name in American sparkling wine, and today it is one of the most successful brands. But Gilbert wasn’t satisfied with resting on his laurels so he returned to Champagne and renamed his original S.A. Gruet house as Champagne Paul Laurent. Today both of these estates are thriving under the third generation of family leadership. It’s a lovely story, but what makes it truly special is that the wines they produce are of exceptional quality and getting better all the time. That’s why I’m ecstatic to introduce their flagship “Cuvée de Fondateur,” today. There’s so much sparkling wine perfection here for the money it’s downright crazy!
The Gruet family's winemaking legacy began in 1952 when Gilbert Gruet established Champagne Gruet in France's Val de Marne. In 1984, Gilbert expanded to the United States, founding Gruet Winery in New Mexico. The winery's first harvest was in 1987, with its inaugural release in 1986. In 1993, Gilbert entrusted Gruet Winery to his children Laurent and Nathalie, while he returned to France to focus on Champagne Paul Laurent. Today, this family-owned business continues to honor Gilbert's passion for winemaking, with Laurent as the chief winemaker since 1987. The family domaine in Champagne is in the heart of the Côteaux du Sézannais, just south of Epernay. The vineyards benefit from classic soils of chalky limestone and clay, and are planted predominantly to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The winery utilizes eco-responsible and sustainable methods, focusing on minimizing environmental impact and preserving the terroir for future generations.
A blend of 75% Pinot Noir, 20% Chardonnay, and 5% Meunier, Cuvée de Fondateur is crafted using traditional methods: Fermentation occurs in pressurized stainless steel vessels, and is then aged for several months in tanks before bottling and undergoing a secondary fermentation, followed by 18 to 24 months of aging on the fine lees before disgorgement.
This is a bright, energetic, and elegant Champagne that showcases the predominance of Pinot Noir through bright berry aromas and a rich, full-bodied texture. Chardonnay contributes liveliness and mineral-accented notes of citrus, pear, and crushed stone. The palate is fresh, perfumed, and effervescent, leading to a pleasantly long, clean finish. Its refreshing character makes it an excellent choice for an aperitif, embodying the classic traits of a well-balanced Brut Champagne–faint whiffs of sweetness, bright acidity, and saline minerality. It’s a near-perfect house Champagne, so stock up while we still have stock!
