The colour is pale gold. The mousse is lively, slightly broad at first but then refining into a finer, persistent perlage. On the nose lemon zest, green apple and white peach, intertwine with hints of crushed chalk. In the mouth fresh, savoury and mouthwatering. The finish is clean and brisk, though somewhat short, leaving a final impression of citrus zest.
Founded in the 1970s in Sillery, a Grand Cru village in the Montagne de Reims, Champagne François Secondé is one of the few independent growers to vinify entirely within this historic terroir. The estate works mainly with Pinot Noir, complemented by Chardonnay, cultivating old vines on the chalk-rich slopes typical of Sillery.
François Secondé’s philosophy is rooted in authentic grower craftsmanship: minimal intervention, careful pressing, and long lees ageing.
The “Intégral” Zero Dosage is a blend of 2/3 Pinot Noire and 1/3 Chardonnay that embodies the house’s purest vision: no added sugar, no cosmetic roundness, just the essence of chalk, fruit, and time. Sourced from vines averaging 40 years of age, it’s a Champagne for those who seek transparency and the quiet intensity of terroir over adornment. Only 5’000 bottles a year are made.
I received this bottle as a present from a friend that came to my home for dinner. Online it sells for 50 CHF.
Country: France
Region: Champagne
Grapes: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay
Type: Sparkling
Vintage: N/A
Producer: François Secondé
Price range: Extra (50-100 US$)
Pascal’s Enjoyment Index: 3/5