Maison Raday

Maison Raday, a gem in the Vallee de la Marne near Reims, is the brainchild of Valentin Tribaut, who departed from his family's renowned Champagne house to start his own micro-negociant venture. Valentin sources grapes from exceptional vineyards, ensuring that each bottle reflects the distinct terroir and meticulous farming practices of his collaborators.

The Rimosa Ripa Brut Nature, with a 2019 base, showcases 70% Chardonnay and 30% Meunier from the Crayeres du Levant vineyard in Romery, farmed organically by Aurelien Lurquin. The Chardonnay vines, nearly half a century old, thrive in sand and chalk soils, meticulously tended by horse and free from hedging. The wine undergoes fermentation in oak barrels (one new and four used) for 11 months, followed by three years of bottle aging, with no additions, highlighting its purity and complexity. Only 1,471 bottles and 25 magnums of this cuvée were produced.

Valentin's Meunier d'Ailleurs, also from the 2019 base, is 100% Meunier sourced from Regis Poissinet's biodynamically farmed Le Froids Vents vineyard in Cuchery. These vines, planted in the early '90s, grow in limestone and green clay soils, with Regis crafting his own compost to maintain ideal yields. This cuvée shares the same elevage as the Rimosa Ripa, resulting in wines with remarkable minerality, ripe fruit, and vibrant acidity. Only 1,191 bottles and 25 magnums were produced.

Maison Raday's dedication to natural winemaking, minimal intervention, and showcasing the efforts of expert growers make their limited-production Champagnes truly exceptional and highly collectible.