Gastronomic encounter: Nolwenn Corre sublimates the submerged Cuvée de

07.04.2026

The 2012 Cuvée des Hussards submerged: a rare champagne

The 2012 Cuvée des Hussards submergedembodies the excellence of the Frerejean Frères house’s craftsmanship. Sourced from the great terroirs of the Côte des Blancs and composed primarily of Chardonnay, it expresses the mineral tension and elegance inherent to these chalky soils. After several years of aging in the cellar, a limited selection of bottles was submerged off the coast of Brittany to continue its refinement in unique natural conditions: sixty meters deep, in darkness and under constant pressure, the champagne evolves slowly and develops an expression of great precision.

A unique underwater aging process

Underwater immersion offers champagne a stable and protective environment. The constant temperature and absence of light allow the wine to continue its evolution with great precision. This rare aging method helps to preserve the freshness of the champagne while enhancing its aromatic complexity.

Over time, the wine develops a particularly pure expression, where the minerality of the Champagne chalk meets a subtle saline dimension. This maritime influence lends the cuvée a singular personality that evokes sea spray, seashells, and the freshness of the ocean.

Tasting and food pairings

On the palate, the underwater-aged 2012 Cuvée des Hussards stands out for its elegance and precision. The nose reveals delicate aromas of white flowers, ripe citrus, and white-fleshed fruits, accompanied by notes of fresh almond and hazelnut. With aeration, more saline nuances emerge, reminiscent of the maritime environment in which the wine continued its aging.

On the palate, the attack is straight and vibrant. The texture is both ample and chiseled, carried by fine effervescence and great mineral freshness. The long, saline finish extends the tasting experience with a remarkable sensation of purity.

Thanks to this precise structure and its natural tension, this champagne is particularly well-suited to gastronomic pairings. Seafood fully reveals its complexity: langoustines, oysters, noble fish, or crustaceans find an ideal partner in this cuvée, capable of highlighting the finesse of the flavors without ever overpowering them.

Nolwenn Corre: a chef inspired by the ocean

To accompany this vintage, which is deeply marked by the maritime world, a collaboration with chef Nolwenn Correwas a natural choice. Originally from Finistère, the chef develops a sensitive and precise cuisine where the sea occupies a central place.

Her culinary world is characterized by a great clarity of flavors and a respectful approach to the product. Fish, shellfish, and seaweed are prepared with delicacy in order to reveal all their subtlety. This gastronomic vision echoes the purity and tension of the submerged 2012 Cuvée des Hussards.

The journey of a Michelin-starred chef

Nolwenn Corre grew up in Plougonvelin, Brittany, at the Hostellerie de la Pointe Saint-Mathieu, a family-run establishment facing the ocean. From an early age, she developed a passion for cooking and chose to train with renowned gastronomic establishments to refine her technique and culinary sensibility.

After several experiences in prestigious restaurants, she returned to Brittany to take over the kitchens of the family establishment. Her cuisine, both contemporary and deeply rooted in her region, quickly caught the attention of the gastronomic world.

In 2019, her restaurant was awarded a Michelin star, honoring a demanding and authentic culinary approach.

Precision-focused, locally-sourced cuisine

Nolwenn Corre’s cuisine is based on a meticulous treatment of local products. Wild fish, Breton shellfish, and seasonal vegetables are at the heart of her creations. Each plate seeks to express the essence of the product, without artifice, with great technical precision.

This gastronomic philosophy finds a natural echo in the world of Frerejean Frères champagne. Like the chef's cuisine, the house's cuvées prioritize purity, balance, and the legibility of the terroirs.

The encounter between the chef and the submerged Cuvée des Hussards 2012 thus illustrates an obvious dialogue between two demanding approaches to taste.

The Story of the Cuvée des Hussards

The Cuvée des Hussardsholds a special place within the Frerejean Frères house. It represents the most ambitious expression of the house's philosophy: to produce gourmet champagnes capable of competing with the greatest wines at the table.

The name of this cuvée pays tribute to Napoleon's hussars, elite cavalrymen renowned for their boldness, elegance, and independent spirit. This historical reference symbolizes the spirit of the house, which cultivates a style that is at once precise, daring, and deeply rooted in the Champagne tradition.

An iconic cuvée from the house

Since its inception, the house of Frerejean Frères has specialized in crafting high-end Champagnes from the finest terroirs of the Côte des Blancs. The cuvées are produced in limited quantities and benefit from long aging in the cellar to reach their full complexity.

The Cuvée des Hussards is the ultimate expression of this pursuit of excellence. It comes from old vines and undergoes a particularly rigorous selection of grapes. Prolonged aging on the lees allows the wine to develop aromatic depth and a remarkably elegant texture.

The 2012 vintage, a great vintage in Champagne

The 2012 vintage is now considered one of the most remarkable Champagne vintages of recent decades. Despite a year marked by demanding climatic conditions, the harvest yielded grapes of great concentration and exceptional balance.

Wines from this vintage stand out for their aromatic richness, structure, and aging potential. In the submerged Cuvée des Hussards 2012, these qualities are expressed with particular intensity, enhanced by underwater aging which accentuates the wine's purity and precision.

Conclusion

The encounter between chef Nolwenn Corre and the submerged Cuvée des Hussards 2012perfectly illustrates the dialogue between haute cuisine and great champagnes. Through this photoshoot, two worlds come together around the same exacting standard: respecting the product and seeking emotion in the tasting experience.

The chef's subtle, iodine-rich cuisine finds a natural partner in this cuvée, one capable of highlighting the finesse of seafood while bringing an extra dimension to the gastronomic experience.

More than just a rare champagne, the submerged Hussards 2012 embodies a contemporary vision of table champagne: a wine with character, designed to accompany the finest cuisines and create unforgettable tasting moments.

Gastronomic encounter: Nolwenn Corre sublimates the submerged Cuvée des Hussards 2012