MC De Sousa SAT Apr 25th at 12:00

Master Class Champagne De Sousa - Valentin De Sousa: De Sousa Mycorhize – Living Soil, Living Wine

Luennoitsija/Speaker:Valentin De Sousa, Viininviljelijä/Vigneron, Champagne De Sousa

Kieli/Language: English

La/Sat 25.4. 12:00 - 12:50

Plunging into the chalky soils of the Côte des Blancs, the vines’ roots nourish champagnes that pay tribute both to this iconic terroir and to the exceptional family that has tended it for generations. At the heart of De Sousa’s philosophy lies the cultivation of living soils. The estate has been farmed biodynamically since 1999, with horse-drawn ploughing playing a key role in combating soil compaction and fostering the development of mycorrhizae—vital symbiotic partnerships between fungi and vine roots. These living networks act as conduits between soil, subsoil, and vine, enhancing nutrient uptake and ultimately improving fruit quality.

In this master class, winemaker Valentin De Sousa will share the estate’s approach to viticulture and demonstrate how these practices translate into the character of the finished wines. We will taste the house’s prestigious cuvée Mycorhize, sourced from the old-vine Les Hauts Nemery vineyard in Avize Grand Cru. Participants will have the rare opportunity to explore several iterations of this outstanding single-vineyard champagne, vinified in oak in the unmistakable De Sousa style.

After experiences in winemaking in Australia and a stay in New Zealand, Valentin De Sousa returned to his family domaine in 2016 as cellar master. He took over the reins of winemaking and production from his father in 2020, and continues passionately to manage the biodynamically farmed estate with his sisters Charlotte and Julie. 

Viinit/Wines:

Please note that in order to participate in the master class you also need an entry ticket to the event.

De Sousa & Fils Mycorhize Grand Cru Extra Brut Magnum 2017
De Sousa & Fils Mycorhize Grand Cru Extra Brut Magnum 2015
De Sousa & Fils Mycorhize Grand Cru Extra Brut Magnum 2012