Domaine Payen Prelud Le Cremant NV

Fruit-driven. Fine mousse. Salty finish.

Ludovic Payen took over a 27-hectare estate at Chaudefonds-sur-Layon in Anjou in 2024. The vineyards are worked mechanically while the estate moves toward organic certification, with hand harvesting and indigenous yeasts. Prelude combines Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay in a taut, fruit-driven Crémant with saline finish.

Really fruit-driven, with a fine mousse and salinity on the finish. Twelve months on lees add tension richness balance to a classic Crémant style.

Perfect with raw bar, sushi, soft cheeses and fried calamari.