Champagne Producers: Deutz

Nestled peacefully and yet boldly within the Champagne producer community of what for many is the wine regions best village, Aÿ, sits Deutz.

I am always surprised by the somewhat lazy and tranquil atmosphere in Aÿ, though it holds some of the world’s most famous Champagne houses, the pace of life remains never more, it would appear, outside of first gear. Other than the frantic couple of weeks during harvest time where tractors and working groups of grape pickers descend upon the town in a spell of frantic activities, you can walk the streets away from the main square (Pl. Henri Martin) which contains the cafés and bakers and never bump in to another soul or only that of a senior gentlemen with his flat cap acknowledging you with a cagey ‘bonjour‘.

For such a famous destination holding a treasure trove of Champagne houses I’m amazed is not always awash of tourists and wine enthusiasts, roads full of parked cars and coaches, mobile phones capturing those special TikTok moments and crowds of people wondering around trying to experience each and every winery open to public visits and grabbing a selfies with the wine makers.

So this dreamy and calming village holds world famous Champagne houses such as Bollinger, Henri Giraud, Ayala, Collet and is conveniently located only a short 9 minute drive away from Epernay (or 45 minute walk). It sits on the rolling hills of Grande Vallee de la Marne, Aÿ is a grand cru village alongside the river Marne and just off from the departmental road D1. The Champagne village holds not only Duetz who is a previous winner (2017) of the title from Glass of Bubbly ‘The World’s Finest Glass of Bubbly‘, but also another previous winner (2019) Champagne Roger Brun.

 

A walk on Rue Jeanson takes you to the Champagne house Deutz  (founded in 1838 through the association of William Deutz with Pierre-Hubert Geldermann) – Its impressive white walls with an arched entrance to a bright yellow stone cobbled yard shows off the grand residence that holds the history of this famed brand. Invited guests can explore this famous old house and enjoy a private tasting of their cuvées within the fine décor of one of several rooms or on those warmer sunnier days outside in the peaceful set gardens. Champagne Deutz is not open to the public for tastings or tours.

Most of the production from Champagne Deutz is enjoyed by the French themselves, it holds a production of around two million bottles with 75% of the grapes brought in from Grand and Premier Cru vineyards. Exports to and sales within the UK (as of 2022) are managed by González Byass.

 

 

The range of Champagne labels from this producer include a selection of non vintage and vintage with their superior range being Cuvée William Deutz Vintage collection with notably the Hommage à William Deutz (Parcelles d’Aÿ).

The Blanc de Blancs label vintage 2010 certainly impressed the Champagne & Sparkling Wine judges in London during the 2017 (Glass of Bubbly) awards where it was the top scoring wine from many entries globally. The Deutz range is worthy of fine dining / gastronomy pairing. 80% of the grapes used by Deutz for champagne come from Grand and Premier Crus , 42 ha are owned by the winery, the grapes for another 160 ha are bought from around 60 producers.

I just wanted to relive the fine memories of Champagne Deutz that I hold within my minds tasting note library by opening their current Blanc de Blancs vintage which is the 2016. This 100% Chardonnay was a gold winning wine with the category of ‘Classic & Elegant‘ in 2021:

“This wine holds the Chadonnay grapes from Montagne de Reims , Cote des Blancs and Avize. A premier cru label that offers a fine aroma and delicate flavours ideal for white fish / meat dishes ideally canopy / starter size. The nose delivers a pure freshness, plenty of white floral along with soft apricot flesh, apple / dark green pear flesh, a touch of citrus / honey candy. Flavours are rich and again fresh / young, this wine yells to you that it needs longer to mature (advised to be drunk around 2026). There is a fresh citrus, white floral, honey, apricot, chalk in the palate.“