In French, ‘c’est carré’ colloquially translates to ‘it’s perfect,’ referring to something done with precision and structure. So it is no wonder that the Carré brothers, Edouard & Victor, the team behind Domaine Carré Frères, are making special wines in their native region of Champagne. Raised on their family’s sprawling estate, the brothers returned home in 2019 to launch their project under their own name. Edouard works behind the scenes, managing office work and vinification, whereas Victor works in the vineyard and also the cellar. But it’s their combined respect for ancestral practices with modern innovation that has contributed to their success. Since its inception, Domaine Carré Frères has grown step by step, all the while setting lofty goals for themselves. Edouard & Victor’s approach to winemaking remains highly personal, born from the philosophy of making wines expressive of the beautiful grapes they cultivate from their home.

Their parcels, 23 hectares spread across Trépail, Verzy, Ambonnay, and Aube, are planted with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir and vinified separately in order to preserve each distinct terroir. Where Trépail is known for producing Chardonnay that is beautifully balanced between acidity and ripeness, Pinot Noir grown in Verzy benefits from different soil and northern exposure. Each plot contains the possibility to produce totally different wines, and Eduouard and Victor continue to experiment with their plantings in an effort to grow their portfolio’s cuvées. (Keep an eye out for a stunning Pinot Noir from Trépail, available soon).

In their vineyards, the brothers use methods of conventional viticulture, with a focus on organic farming, biodynamic practices, and minimal intervention in their treatment of the soil and vines. In the cellar, wines are pressed directly before undergoing a long elevage of at least 1 year and up to 2 in barrel – 70% old and 30% new, before aging a minimum of 3 years in the cellar.  Edouard & Victor choose to work by vintage, without any reserve wines so that each year the cuvées can be unique and distinguished. The result, year over year, are wines that are rich and structured, with complexity and singularity. As the brothers continue to build on their early success, they forge a legacy of their own inspired by, although distinct from, their predecessors; a legacy of perfecting the art of Champagne, according to Edouard Carré.