Based in Épernay and founded in 2016, Champagne PIAFF is the result of head winemaker Maxime Mansards’ desire to create modern and youthful wines using the expertise and knowledge passed down over five generations. The Mansard family have been Champagne producers since 1901.
The Story
The name PIAFF originates from the French word Piaffe.
Originally a movement used in battle to keep horses warm on the spot, helping them remain focused and prepared for what’s ahead .
Now, it’s better known as a Grand Prix dressage move, where a horse rhythmically moves opposite hooves in perfect synchronisation. This harmony is the flagship of Champagne PIAFF and the wine they produce.
Maxime Mansard, whose family has a rich history in champagne production, is Champagne PIAFF’s Head Winemaker.
The Mansard family has been making Champagne from estate grapes since 1901, with the first bottling produced by Maxime’s grandfather Bennoni Mansard, who was working with 10 hectares of vines at the time. The champagne was produced using the family name Maison Mansard Gilles.
Maxime describes the ‘Mansard style’ as textural, finessed and elegant.
The Vineyards
Today Champagne PIAFF has 24 hectares of estate vineyards, but also purchases around 20% of its grapes from local, trusted growers in the Vallée de la Marne.
Champagne PIAFF has around 70 small parcels planted all over Epernay, but the majority of the parcels are on the left bank, in Cerseuil. The plots are mostly south facing and planted on clay and limestone soils.
PIAFF works with the traditional Champenois varieties of Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay. The vines are between 35 to 40 years old and grow both on slopes and flatter plots of land.
PIAFF farms its vines as sustainably as possible to promote biodiversity in their vineyards. PIAFF no longer weeds its soils and is gradually reducing, to the minimum, the amount of spray used in the vineyards.
The Wines
All the grapes are hand harvested, pressed, fermented at 18-20 degrees and aged in stainless steel for three to five years before secondary bottle fermentation.
The three cuvées are all non-vintage with a vintage Blancs de Blanc set to be released later in 2023.
Dosage ranges between 7-7.5g/l.
Champagne PIAFF Brut NV:
35% Pinot Noir 35% Chardonnay 30% Pinot Meunier from the chalk vineyards of Vallée de la Marne.
24-36 months on the lees
Champagne PIAFF Brut Rosé NV:
50% Pinot Noir 30% Pinot Meunier 20% Chardonnay from Vallée de la Marne and aged 24-36 months on lees
Champagne PIAFF Blanc de Blancs NV:
100% Chardonnay is sourced from easterly planted vineyards in the Côtes de Blancs. Lees contact averaging 36 months.
