Hoerter

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The Hoerter family (spelled: Hoertée) has been growing wine for four generations. Founder Joseph started with a small vineyard and sold the grapes like most of the Champagne winemakers. His son Maurice already started selling his own champagne. His son Michel then took over the company with his wife Claudie and invested in the development of various cuvées. Today, Jean-Philippe, the great-grandson, is at work and, together with his wife Valérie, has brought out a line that has been vinified in oak for the first time.

The 9-hectare vineyard is located in the commune of Essômes sur Marne, in the heart of the western Marne valley. The soils on the upper part of the slope are characterized by loam, clay and limestone, in the valley the soils are somewhat sandy.

The vines consist of 70% Meunier, 22% Pinot Noir and 8% Chardonnay. The vines are 40 years old on average, the oldest plot was planted in 1936. Hoerter has been practicing sustainable viticulture with greening, one-sided defoliation, mechanical weed control and 100% organic fertilizer for more than 16 years. The pruning is adapted to each plot and the corresponding grape variety.

The champagnes from Hoerter are truly to feel good: the Muses line is primarily fresh, fruity, friendly and pleasant, the Futée wines have something wonderfully rich and baroque. We were very pleased that there are still winegrowers who do not only strive in the mineral-straight direction, but have retained this wonderful yeast-brioche style.

Facts: R.M., Gemeinde Essômes sur Marne, Valée de la Marne, 9 ha