Through the centuries, the beautiful French town of Rouen has been known for its Gothic churches, museums and as the capital of the Normandy region of northern France. Today, it is also heralded as the birthplace of Alexandre Maret, New York City brand ambassador extraordinaire for Bonnete Inc., a socially responsible, family-owned, and operated company specialized in representing, importing, marketing, and successfully building boutique wine and spirits brands in the United States.

Growing up in Rouen, for Alexandre, wine was a regular occurrence at the dinner table. This is not typical, given that Normandy is not a wine-making region. The region is famous for its Calvados production, a brandy made from apple cider. It was not until Alexandre started at ISD Flaubert Business School in Rouen and signed up for a wine tasting class that he discovered the expansive world of wine and spirits.

In 2015, after graduating from ISD, with a double major in Business and International Business Management, Alexandre moved to Bordeaux to complete his master’s degree in Wine & Spirits Business Management at the renowned Kedge Business School. He landed a part-time position at Saverglass, a high-end manufacturer of glass bottles, who, in 2016, hired him as a full-time account manager upon graduation. Passionate about Cognac, he started a side hustle, organizing and leading corporate events, educating clients on everything Cognac.

It was during his time at school and Saverglass that Alexandre fell in love with Bordeaux and everything the beautiful city has to offer. Bordeaux is the fifth largest city in France, known for its gastronomy. The greater Bordeaux appellation is also known for over 20,000 wine producers. Alexandre embraced the experience and learned as much as he could about the beverage industry.

Years of hard work, tremendous experience, and an exclusive master’s degree from the Kedge Business School were all about to pay off. In 2019, Alexandre was made an offer that he simply could not refuse:  The opportunity to represent a premium boutique wine and spirits portfolio as the New York City Business Development Manager of Bonnete Inc.

Alexandre’s portfolio includes the Champagne house, Frerejean Frères. Frerejean Frères is a “grower Champagne house,” a smaller boutique-style house specializing in a more focused selection of Champagnes than what you find with the bigger houses. Working with a more focused selection is something Alexandre prefers and very much enjoys. The advantage of working with a more focused selection is that "you have the chance to become fluent in each of them,” said Alexandre. Your job is to sell the products to retailers and restaurants that will pass them on to the consumer, so you need to know everything there is to know about each item and each region in the portfolio. Judging from Alexandre’s love for what he does, it seems that representing a smaller and more focused portfolio allows you to engage and immerse yourself in each brand.

Let’s now take a look at some of the Champagne within Alexandre’s portfolio that he is most passionate about, the Champagnes of the house Frerejean Frères. I was fortunate enough to have tasted several selections within the Frerejean Frères portfolio, and I must admit, I was blown away! The project started in 2005 in Avize, by the Frerejean-Taittinger brothers who grew up immersed in everything and anything Champagne. As a small boutique Champagne house, Frerejean Frères continues to symbolize the savoir-faire and authenticity of the region: “We take a fresh approach to Champagne that respects tradition but leaves room for innovation.” Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier grapes are sourced from Premier Cru and Grand Cru plots. With a little bit over 24 acres of vineyards, the brothers have aspired to produce exclusive Champagne from that unique terroir.

The range of Frerejean Frères Champagnes available in the U.S. includes the following:

Champagne Frerejean Frères Brut NM Premier Cru: The signature cuvée is a blend of 50% Chardonnay and 50% Pinot Noir resulting in an elegant and rich Champagne. Aromas of green apple, candied orange peel, almond, and fresh hazelnut. The palate reflects the aromas with a chalky minerality and a beautiful finish. (Suggested Retail Price: $56.99).

Champagne Frerejean Frères Blanc de Blancs NM Premier Cru: From 100% Chardonnay, this is a rich and generous Champagne. There are notes of brioche, dried apricots, and tropical fruits. It is creamy and velvety on the palate. (SRP: $99.99).

Champagne Frerejean Frères Rosé NV Premier Cru: 60% Chardonnay and 40% Pinot Noir. This Champagne feels so luxurious, is best to sip in a bubble bath or paired with a decadent seafood platter. Delicate notes of raspberries, and plums, the palate is silky, expressive, and generous. It is a treasure to be found and a keeper (SRP: $99.99).

Champagne Frerejean Frères Extra Brut 2006 Premier Cru: This Champagne earned a ‘Gold Medal’ from The Drinks Business (a leading European drinks trade publication), and rightfully so. 2006 was an exceptional year in Champagne, and it shows in this bottle. From 50% Chardonnay and 50% Pinot Noir, this gorgeous vintage Champagne exudes notes of brioche, pâte à choux, vanilla, baking spices, and orange peel. The palate is creamy, expressive, and lip-smacking good. Extra Brut is a low dosage Champagne (little to no sugar added), and therefore low in sugar. The perfect pairing through an entire meal (SRP: $149.99).

Champagne Frerejean Frères Cuvée des Hussards 2012 Premier Cru: The French Hussars were of the Napoleonic period and were armed with sabres in the late 1790s. They were the first ones to experience sabering a bottle of Champagne. This vintage treasure is produced from 85% Chardonnay and 15% Pinot Noir from older vines during an exceptional harvest year. Notes of lemon, pear, and a lovely mouthwatering saline acidity. This is lively and delicious. (SRP: $139.99).

Champagne Frerejean Frères VV26 NM Grand Cru: Produced from 100% Chardonnay from nearly 100-year-old vines (‘Vieilles Vignes’) dating back to 1926. It is a blend of Chardonnay from two vintage harvests, 2008 and 2009, resulting in a dreamy Champagne. It is creamy, complex, and delicate, all wrapped up in one. Notes of vanilla, brioche, dried apricot, and almond oatmeal, this is incredibly addictive. (SRP: $129.99).

One would say that there are a lot of Champagne brands out there, and I would agree. However, venture out of your comfort zone and try smaller production Champagne. The attention to quality is evident and worth going out of your way. So why not expand your palate, maybe you too will become passionate about a brand you may not have otherwise discovered?

I am lucky to have met Alexandre. I must thank him for sharing his passion for the fantastic Champagnes within his portfolio and for helping me to turn my focus to the smaller producers that have so much to offer. Alexandre’s enthusiasm and passion are truly contagious!

Cheers,

Anna

 Photos courtesy of Alexandre Maret.