Brut de Mer | Wijndomein En Passant

About the wine

The Brut de Mer of En Passan Wine EstateIt is a remarkable example of the rise of Dutch sparkling wines. This unique “methode tradition” is made from the Souvignier Gris grape, which thrives exceptionally well in the Dutch climate. The grape is often characterized by a balance between freshness and fruitiness in characterful and dry wines, but is also particularly soft and round with a long, elegant finish. The taste is dry, yet with a soft, round texture. The flavor possesses great complexity, while the bubbles remain beautifully refined and smooth.

The Brut de Mer is a fresh, refined wine that sparks your curiosity from the moment the bottle is opened. On the nose and palate, you discover notes of ripe peach, white peach, apricot, green apple, and a light floral note, complemented by a mineral touch. The taste is dry, full, and creamy with a soft, round texture. The wine has a full structure with a subtle mousse. The wine's bouquet displays a variety of subtle fruit aromas of melon and apricot jam. 

The taste is full and creamy, and the finish adds an exciting layering to the whole. It transports you imaginatively to Zeeland, surrounded by the sea. It is no coincidence that the 'mer' in the name refers to the sea breeze that reaches the vineyard. The wine has a beautiful length and finishes with a light, refreshing aftertaste that invites you to take another sip.

Maturation in the Oosterschelde 

The Brut de Mer is a sparkling wine from the depths of the Oosterschelde estuary in Zeeland. Situated in the briny depths and far out of reach of light and oxygen, the bottles mature at a depth of fifteen meters in an environment with a constant temperature and gentle sea swells. This results in a wine with a strikingly full structure, refined mousse, and a subtle briny finish. 

The stillness and movement of the water ensure that the mousse develops elegantly, and that the wine finds its balance in silence. The yeast remains constantly in motion due to the ripples on the seabed, and together with the pressure at the bottom of the estuary, the development of the flavor is enhanced. This gives this sparkling wine character, finesse, and a story. 

During the eighteen-month maturation in the estuary, the bottles are shaped by the water and the life that clings to them. Barnacles, seaweed, and other marine creatures make the bottle visually unique, with natural packaging that tells a story about the wine's origins. 

Goes well with

The Brut de Mer comes into its own as an aperitif on warm days or at festive occasions. Pair the wine with oysters, shellfish, or a fresh ceviche. View the Printworks Champagne Tools to host a complete Brut de Mer evening. 

About the vineyard

The winemaker, André Vink, has a very small vineyard of only 1.5 hectares next to his campsite. André is truly an example of a winemaker who devotes a great deal of time and attention to his grapes on a small scale. André works with manual selection and professional advice from winemaker Stan Beurskens, who knows how to produce very good wines. André is influenced by classic French wines (crisp, dry, elegant), but with the Zeeland terroir, salty wind, and mineral notes in the wines. André is also a pioneer with his Brut de Mer. Together with Stan Beurskens, he was the first Dutch winemaker to age his sparkling wine in the sea.