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Philipponnat: The slope and winemaking of Clos des Goisses
Philipponnat is a Champagne house based in Mareuil-sur-Aÿ. Its flagship Clos des Goisses is made from a steep, south-facing vineyard overlooking the Marne canal. Acquired in 1935, this vineyard provides a starting point to connect place and winemaking choices.
Where are the steep, south-facing slopes, which varieties are cultivated there, and in which stage is acidity preserved? We follow the Clos des Goisses 2014 from the vineyard onward.
Questions for this course
If a wine is made from a single clos, does that mean it uses just one grape variety?
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To explanation task notes ↓Philipponnat / Learn about Producers
France / Champagne / Mareuil-sur-Aÿ
Aliases & spellings: Philipponnat
Update date: 2026-09-27
Even a single clos may have multiple internal plots
The official vineyard introduction states that the approximately 6ha clos contains 14 plots, has a slope of 35–45 degrees, and faces south. Here, “clos” refers to a walled vineyard. Knowing that a single-named vineyard can include multiple plots makes it easier to understand grape selection.
Two grape varieties are blended in 2014
Clos des Goisses 2014 is 71% Pinot Noir, 29% Chardonnay. Restricting the origin of the grapes by plot and restricting by single grape variety are distinct. Just because a wine comes from a single clos does not mean it is automatically a Blanc de Noirs or Blanc de Blancs.
Leaving acidity intact and extended bottle aging
In the 2014 document, 64% is vinified in wooden barrels and no malolactic fermentation is carried out. The producer explains that the intention is to preserve the natural acidity paired with the fruit richness. The wine then undergoes bottle fermentation on lees and matures for 9 years. Organize the proportion of barrel use, the steps related to acidity, and in-bottle aging separately as different conditions.
What to align and what to compare.
Geography
- Conditions to standardize
- Clos des Goisses scope
- Conditions for comparison.
- A single clos and its 14 internal plots
- Additional points to confirm
- Can the selection for each plot be confirmed from available materials for that particular year?
Grapes
- Conditions to standardize
- The same wine from 2014
- Conditions for comparison.
- Pinot Noir 71% and Chardonnay 29%
- Additional points to confirm
- Are you confusing single-vineyard and single-varietal?
Process
- Conditions to standardize
- 2014 technical data
- Conditions for comparison.
- Wood barrel vinification, omission of malolactic fermentation, aging in bottle.
- Additional points to confirm
- Are barrel proportion and years in bottle kept separate?
Order of reading and key points to consider in each article
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Reading Philipponnat’s material: The slope and winemaking of Clos des Goisses
Compare the stated conditions in the documentation. Numbers specifying vintages should be treated as information for that specific year.
This summarizes materials published by producers, regional groups, and importers. Each source includes the publisher and the date the material was checked.
| Comparison items | What can be determined from the materials | Ability to distinguish by reading |
|---|---|---|
| Vineyard | South-facing, 35–45 degree slopes, 14 plots | A single clos is not the same as a single plot. |
| 2014 grape varieties | Pinot Noir 71%, Chardonnay 29% | A single vineyard and a single variety are different |
| 2014 vinification | 64% fermented in wooden barrels, no malolactic fermentation, 9 years bottle aging on lees | Do not mix barrel proportion with years in bottle. |
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Read the explanation for each question
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Which statement about inside Clos des Goisses is correct?
The official information explains there are 14 plots on south-facing steep slopes. The name of a single vineyard enclosed by walls and the plots within it represent different areas. Do not assume that “single vineyard” implies all material is grown under the exact same conditions.
What is the grape composition for 2014?
According to the 2014 technical data, the wine is made from 71% Pinot Noir and 29% Chardonnay. Even for a wine originating from a single clos, multiple grape varieties may be blended. The key point in this example is to distinguish between the number of source locations and the number of grape varieties.
What does the number 9 in 2014 represent?
9 years is the maturation period on the lees during the second fermentation in bottle. The 64% figure refers to barrel fermentation and is a different process. The option not to perform malolactic fermentation is specified separately, and using barrels alone does not determine acid management.
Basis and sources for the exercise
Practice exercises in comparison
Please explain differences in raw materials and winemaking by reading the table and sources.
Read examples of organizing comparisons
| Conditions for Comparison | Comparison items | What can be determined from the materials | Ability to distinguish by reading |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vineyard | South-facing, 35–45 degree slopes, 14 plots | A single clos is not the same as a single plot. | |
| 2014 grape varieties | Pinot Noir 71%, Chardonnay 29% | A single vineyard and a single variety are different | |
| 2014 vinification | 64% fermented in wooden barrels, no malolactic fermentation, 9 years bottle aging on lees | Do not mix barrel proportion with years in bottle. |
Sources of materials used for comparison are listed in the text and exercises.
Explain in your own words
Please describe Clos des Goisses 2014 in order of vineyard scope, grape variety, winemaking, and bottle maturation.
Check after writing
- The official information explains there are 14 plots on south-facing steep slopes. The name of a single vineyard enclosed by walls and the plots within it represent different areas. Do not assume that “single vineyard” implies all material is grown under the exact same conditions.
- According to the 2014 technical data, the wine is made from 71% Pinot Noir and 29% Chardonnay. Even for a wine originating from a single clos, multiple grape varieties may be blended. The key point in this example is to distinguish between the number of source locations and the number of grape varieties.
- 9 years is the maturation period on the lees during the second fermentation in bottle. The 64% figure refers to barrel fermentation and is a different process. The option not to perform malolactic fermentation is specified separately, and using barrels alone does not determine acid management.
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