Champagne Ullens is an extremely unusual tale in Champagne because it is a brand-new domaine that has no history in the area. Architect Maxime Ullens, originally from Belgium, moved to France in 2012 after he and his wife Anna bought Domaine de Marzilly, on the very point of the Montagne de Reims. Their goal was merely to restore the dilapidated farm house and outbuilding. As time went on, though, Maxime made friends with local farmers and started attending frequent tastings. Before he knew it, he had registered in the viticultural school in Avize and was taking classes in the area of winemaking. Maxime is experimenting with different toast levels and barrels constructed of a variety of materials, including clay, glass, and steel, all of which come from the domaine's own forest. The resulting Champagnes are seriously vinous and complex, becoming standard fare at Michelin-starred restaurants across France in a short amount of time. The bright, tangy citrus aromas in this cuvée are a welcome refreshment. Light appetizers like salmon and avocado mousse, Mediterranean tapas with feta cheese, and roasted or grilled vegetables go wonderfully with this champagne.
