Mont des Anges · Blanc de Meuniers 2021

Domaine Mont des Anges

On his LinkedIn profile, Vincent De Busscher describes himself as a “creator of new effervescences.” A poetic turn of phrase, certainly — and fitting, since the entire narrative surrounding Domaine Mont des Anges, which he co-founded, is built on compelling storytelling. Starting with the very name of the estate, inspired by the legend of angels “armed with divine arrows” said to have protected British soldiers during their retreat in August 1914, as they faced advancing German troops. Their translucent wings now grace the labels of the estate’s various cuvées.

Together with his associate (and partner), Laurianne Lejour — the daughter of Champagne winemakers — Vincent De Busscher manages a 9.6-hectare vineyard spread across several plots. The soils, made up of chalk and flint, lend a unique character to each of the domaine’s cuvées. Sparkling wines only, and nothing but bubbles: they celebrate the three traditional Champagne grape varieties, but also include Voltis, an interspecific grape variety developed by France’s INRA. With Voltis, Domaine Mont des Anges aims to stand out from the competition — which is rather fierce in Hainaut when it comes to effervescence.

Blanc de Meuniers

Pinot Meunier is more rarely planted in Belgium than Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, its Champagne counterparts. Hence the interest of this single-varietal cuvée, marked by vegetal aromas and a saline finish (from the Les Silex parcel in Spiennes).

Alcoholic and malolactic fermentation in stainless steel tanks. Spontaneous clarification, without filtration.