De Sousa – Premium Champagne from Avize at Alfavin
De Sousa is an outstanding Champagne house from Avize, renowned for its high-quality cuvées from Grand Cru vineyards. The 3A is a highlight, blending the three prestigious Grand Cru terroirs Avize, Ay, and Ambonnay. Chardonnay grapes from Avize on the Côte des Blancs make up about half of the cuvée, while the other half consists of Pinot Noir from the famous Ambonnay and Ay vineyards. The Chardonnay vines are relatively young, whereas the Pinot Noir stocks date back to the 1950s. The base wines are aged half in stainless steel tanks and half in relatively new oak barrels, resulting in a Champagne with aromas of citrus fruits, pineapple, raspberries, buttery notes, and subtle oak spice.
History and Family
Eric de Sousa developed the estate from 1986, establishing it as one of the leading names in Avize and converting the vineyards to organic cultivation. After his passing in January 2023, his son Valentin took over cellar responsibilities. His sister Julie manages the vineyards, with a particular passion for biodynamic farming. Charlotte, the eldest sister, oversees sales, marketing, and administration. Today, De Sousa is regarded as one of the top producers in Avize, just behind Jacques Selosse and Agrapart.
Top Cuvées and Vinification
Brut Tradition
This de Sousa Champagne is composed of 50% Chardonnay from Grand Cru vineyards of the Côte des Blancs, including Avize, Le Mesnil, Oger, Cramant, and Chouilly, complemented by 40% Pinot Noir from Essoyes and 10% Pinot Meunier from Mardeuil. The ancient chalk soils allow deep root penetration, enabling the vines to transport significant minerals into the grapes. Even the younger vines have an average age of 25 to 30 years. Biodynamic cultivation keeps yields low, contributing to the high quality of the Champagnes
Reserve Blanc de Blancs
This De Sousa Champagne is made from Chardonnay grapes from the Grand Cru vineyards of Avize, Cramant, Oger, and Le Mesnil are vinified in stainless steel tanks. Malolactic fermentation is allowed, giving the wine additional reductive aromas from yeast autolysis. While delicious upon release, we recommend aging it for three to five years to fully enjoy its complex aromas and creamy texture.
Cuvée 3 A
The Pinot Noir from old vines in the Grand Cru Ambonnay is aged for ten months in new oak barrels and bottled with zero dosage. In the ripe 2018 vintage, it shows inviting aromas of cherry, gingerbread, almonds, plums, fallen apples, roasted bread, walnuts, forest floor, mushrooms, and a touch of oak spice. The palate is silky, well-balanced, and emphasizes body and concentration.
Blanc des Noirs
The Pinot Noir from old vines in the Grand Cru Ambonnay is aged for ten months in new oak barrels and bottled with zero dosage. In the ripe 2018 vintage, it displays an inviting aroma profile of cherry, gingerbread, almonds, plums, windfall fruit, toasted bread, walnut, forest soil, mushrooms and a hint of barrel spice. The palate is silky, balanced and emphasises body and concentration.
Caudalies Blanc de Blancs
This de Sousa champagne combines half older reserve wines with half from the 2020 vintage. After three and a half years on the lees, it reveals vanilla and spice notes, yellow fruits, and lemon. Over time, it becomes more mineral and precise, with aromas of ginger, cinnamon, rhubarb compote, and peach. The Champagne harmoniously balances minerality, ripe fruit, and complex spice.
De Sousa represents precise, mineral-driven, and harmonious Champagnes, combining freshness with complex aromatics, earning a top position among the Grand Cru houses of Avize.
