Collard-Picard ADN Noir

Collard-Picard ADN Noir is a particularly clear expression of the Marne Valley side of this two-region family domaine. Made as a Blanc de Noirs, it brings Meunier and Pinot Noir together in equal proportions, drawing on a perpetual reserve begun in 2015. For lovers of grower Champagne, that is an engaging proposition: two black grapes, one regional identity and a blending approach designed to carry continuity between years. The estate was founded in 1996 by Olivier Collard and Caroline Picard, bringing together two different Champagne backgrounds. The Collard family’s roots lie in the Vallée de la Marne and its tradition of Meunier, while the Picard side has a strong connection to Chardonnay in Le Mesnil-sur-Oger. Their holdings now extend across sixteen hectares and dozens of parcels, giving the range both geographic breadth and a genuine family story. ADN Noir turns that broad identity towards the right bank of the Marne. Rather than following the Chardonnay vineyards of the Côte des Blancs, it keeps the focus on Pinot Noir and Meunier. The equal-parts blend provides a useful contrast to Racines, the estate’s more Meunier-led cuvée, and Dom. Picard, which takes the family’s Grand Cru Chardonnay identity as its starting point. The perpetual reserve is another reason to look closely. By retaining wine across successive harvests, this approach offers continuity without asking the buyer to choose a single declared vintage. Here the reserve’s documented start in 2015 gives the concept an unusually concrete reference. It is a more interesting story than a generic non-vintage label, although each bottling still deserves to be understood on its own terms. Serve ADN Noir cool, not icy, and give it room in the glass. It would make a thoughtful opening bottle for a dinner with Champagne enthusiasts, especially alongside one of the estate’s Chardonnay-led wines. Such a comparison highlights the two sides of Collard-Picard’s vineyard inheritance. Choose ADN Noir when you want a distinctly Marne Valley Blanc de Noirs, balanced between Pinot Noir and Meunier and shaped by the depth of a perpetual reserve.