OUR HISTORY
In 1860, Léon Le Brun, owner of vineyards in the Côte des Blancs, founded his négociant House in Avize, a village that would later be classified as a Grand Cru.
The wines from the Le Brun family vineyards were blended with the best Champagne crus.
His son, Albert, gave his first name to the company, and his descendants carried on the family tradition for more than 135 years.
When they acquired the company in 2003, the Rapeneau family’s primary aim was to give new lease of life to the Vieille France brand and create an exceptional wine.
In order to combine tradition and continuity, the family chose a unique bottle, inspired by 18th-century bottles, making the Vieille France cuvée the perfect combintion of the original shape of the Champagne bottle and a rigorous selection of the best vineyards (Family Reserve).
AN AUTHENTIC BOTTLE
The Vieille France champagne bottle is inspired by the original shape of champagne bottles dating backto the 18th century.
Stubbier than today’s bottles, these were the first time champagne had been represented in paint.
AN ODE TO HISTORY
In the 18th century, the most common type of bottle was a round shape with a very wide, thick base, known as an “apple bottle”, similar to the format of our Vieille France bottle. Over time, the famous “champenoise” or “pear” bottle became more popular. It was easier to handle for stacking and shipping. Vieille France champagne has chosen to keep this original shape in order to combine tradition and continuity.
TRADITION AND MODERNITY
This painting, entitled Le Déjeuner d’huitres (Oyster Lunch), was made by Jean-François de Troy in 1735 during the reign of Louis XV at the Château de Versailles. The scene shows an aristocratic lunch of oysters accompanied by champagne.
Four figures look up at a popping champagne cork, against the stunning backdrop of the marble column. A painting that will provide documentary evidence for our knowledge of the arts of the table in the 18th-century.
Naturally elegant and atypical, this collection of original bottles is the ultimate definition of the
“French Chic”.
