Cuvée „Soléra“ Brut Nature 1500ml Magnum

Wine Description for Cuvée „Soléra“ Brut Nature 1500ml Magnum by Olivier Horiot

Character

Olivier Horiot is one of the most radical craftsmen in Champagne – a winemaker who deliberately works off the beaten track. His Cuvée „Soléra“ Brut Nature embodies an uncompromising vision of Champagne: without dosage, vinified according to the Spanish Soléra principle, where different vintages are blended together in a single cask. The result is a multi-layered, mature Champagne that prioritises depth and complexity over elegance and approachability. The Magnum bottle underscores the ageing potential and the serious ambition of this exceptional sparkling wine.

Terroir & Origin

Horiot cultivates his vineyards in the Côte des Bar, the southernmost part of Champagne near Burgundy. This region, often referred to as the Aube, differs geologically and climatically from the classic Champagne heartland: warmer temperatures, limestone soils with Kimmeridgian marl – similar to Chablis. Here, more powerful, earthier Champagnes are produced, which rely less on sparkling lightness than on substance and mineral presence.

Grape Variety & Vinification

The cuvée combines Chardonnay with two almost forgotten Champagne varieties: Petit Meslier and Arbane. Both are historic grape varieties of the region, distinguished by their acid structure and aromatic individuality. The Soléra method – where young wines are continuously added to older vintages – creates an exceptional maturity and oxidation reminiscent of Sherry or Vin Jaune. As a Brut Nature, the wine is produced without any dosage, which requires the highest precision in both vineyard and cellar. Horiot’s biodynamic approach and minimalist intervention allow the terroir to speak unfiltered.

Food Pairing Suggestions

This Champagne demands complex, savoury dishes: aged Comté, sautéed morels, sweetbreads, or truffled risotto. The oxidative maturity harmonises beautifully with nutty flavours and umami-rich dishes such as miso-glazed fish or aged Parmesan.