2017 PRINTEMPS DES CHAMPAGNES TASTING

Wednesday 26th April 2017, on the occasion of the Printemps des Champagnes, the association called Club Trésors de Champagne organized their annual tasting at Demeure des Comtes de Champagne in Reims. An event presenting the diversity of the Champagne area through highly-quality and terroir wines.

Club Trésors

Called in the beginning “Club des Viticulteurs Champenois”, the “Le Club Trésors” association exists since 1971. The group brought together independent producers who uses a very qualitative viticulture approach. It is only in 1999, the Club changed its name to “Club Trésor of Champagne. Today the oldest association of champagne winemakers counts 29 winegrowers representing 450 hectares and the great diversity of Champagne. Each member has to produces champagnes exclusively from their vines and entirely vinified by them but they also have to follow the strict quality charter of the group to produce their different cuvées. The association meets a dozen times a year to exchange views and for board meetings, vin clair tasting, wine-making meeting of the group and the winemakers are passionate about the creation of very qualitative terroir wines.

The members also chose a special shape of bottle created only for them and since 1988, the Special Club cuvée has been the same representing the quintessence of each estate for a given vintage and been a true quality guarantee for champagne lover.

The boutique : one showroom for 29 Clubmen 

Since 2015, the club opened a boutique : an atypical site located in the Boulingrin area in the city of Reims to discover the spirit and philosophy of the Club Trésors de Champagne . A champagne showroom regrouping the 29 member estates of the club and their 200 references of champagne.

Designed by the famous architect Carlos Pujol, a seating area has been laid out for tasting, large wood dining table has been set to carry out tasting workshops. On the ceiling, many suspended bottles: some serving as modern lighting, while others are mobile thanks to a system of pulleys. These bottles carry numbers – one for each winemaker of the Club. A brief history of the winemaker and his estate can be found on the back. On the ground, a map of the Champagne vineyards has been drawn allowing to put each winegrower on his terroir.

XX clubmen

At Champagne Paul Bara in Bouzy, the House was built in 1860. Today, the estate is managed by the 6th generation represented by Chantale Bara who farmed the family vineyard following sustainable viticulture approach. The estate covers a total of 11 hectares spread over 33 plots including 9,5 hectares of Pinot Noir and 1.5 hectares of Chardonnay in Bouzy and Ambonnay. The Spécial Club 2006 vintage from the estate – a 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay wine – is crunchy, ample and fresh with delicate notes of citrus.

Founded in 1951 by André Champion, at Champagne Roland Champion in Chouilly being a winegrower run in the family from father to son. Together, François, Clémence and Carole Champion represent the fourth generation and look after the 18 hectares using a sustainable approach. Located in Chouilly and Verneuil, the vineyard is made of 70% Chardonnay,  10% Pinot Noir and 20% Pinot Meunier. The Special Club 2011 vintage – 100% Chardonnay from old vines – is rich and mineral expressing buttery and yellow plum notes.

From Montigny-sous-Chatîllon, The family business of Champagne Charlier et Fils was founded in 1892. Today it is the fourth generation, Yves and Carole Perrin, who took over the estate of 15 hectares. The vineyard is spread around the terroir of Montigny-sous-Châtillon and over not less than 41 plots divided between the three main grape varieties of Champagne : 11% of Pinot Noir, 20% of Chardonnay and 69% of Pinot Meunier. The 2005 Spécial Club cuvée – 43% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir and 27% Pinot Meunier from old vines – is both saline and iodic with butter and floral notes.

At Champagne Gaston Chiquet located in Dizy, the first vine was planted  in 1746. Since then 8 generations have succeeded one another to take care of the 23 hectare estate. Together, Nicolas and Antoine Chiquet look after more than 30 plots spread over the villages of Hautvillers, Dizy, Aÿ, Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, Crugny and Nanteuil-la-Forêt. The estate benefits from the three majority grape varieties of Champagne with 46% Chardonnay, 20% Pinot Noir and 34% Pinot Meunier. The Spécial Club 2009 Brut – a 70% Chardonnay and 30% Pinot Noir cuvée – is generous and saline with prune and candied fruit notes.

Winegrowers since 1874,  Champagne Duménil was established in Chigny-les-Roses five generations ago. Today, Hugues and Frédérique Poret, manage the 8,2 hectares of vineyard divided in more 45 plots located on the terroirs of Chigny-les-Roses, Rilly-la-Montagne and Ludes and composed of 30% Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Noir and 35% Pinot Meunier. The family is also known as producer of Safran as well.  The 1999 vintage of the estate offers beautiful power and generous, mocha and roasted notes still with a lot of freshness on the finish whereas the Spéciale Club 2012 vintage – 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay – is fresh and smoky with silex notes and a light vinosity on the finish.

At Champagne Forget-Chemin in Ludes-le-Coquet, the family has been growing vines and making champagne for four generations. Managed by Thierry Forget since 1991, the family estate spread over 13 hectares made up of 60 separate plots and spread across 11 different villages – Mailly, Verzenay, Ludes, Taissy, Pevy, Treslon, Faverolles, Vandières, Verneuil and Port-à-Binson. The vineyards consists of 13% Chardonnay, 17% Pinot Noir and 66% Pinot Meunier. The 2010 Spécial Club – 46% Meunier and 54% Chardonnay – complex with butter notes whereas the 2012 Spécial Club is well balanced and chiseled with an elegant freshness.

The House of Champagne Pierre Gimonnet et Fils in Cuis exists for more than two centuries – since 1750, The third generation represented by Olivier and Didier Gimonnet look after the 28 hectares of the estate exclusively in Chardonnay and divided into 40 plots of land on the terroir of Cramant and Chouilly with 11 hectares but also in Oger with 1 hectares, 14 hectares in Cuis and 2 hectares in Vertus. The 2010 Spécial Club Grand Terroirs de Chardonnay cuvée – 100% Chardonnay from old vines – is elegantly fresh and taut but also chiseled and lightly acidulous.

For four generations Champagne J.M Goulard has been established in Prouilly. Now managed by Damien Goulard, the estate is composed of 7.8 hectares divided into 50 plots located in different crus : Prouilly, Pévy, Hermonville and Voigny. The vineyard is divided between the three main grape varieties with 15% Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Noir and 50% Pinot Meunier. The Spécial Club cuvée will be the futur 2013 vintage however the winegrower presented his new Rosé L’Eclatante cuvée – a 100% Pinot Meunier Rosé de Saignée : a generous champagne with black currants and violets flavors. Damien also offered the 2008 Epanouie – 40 % Chardonnay, 30 % Pinot Noir and 30 % Pinot Meunier : a vinous and fresh wine with cinnamon and chestnuts notes.

The history of the Goutorbe family is indissociable from that of the Champagne vineyard : producing champagne in Aÿ Champagne since the late 1940s under the name Champagne Henri Goutorbe, but already established as pépiniéristes since 1922. Today, Etienne – 4th generation – works hand in hand with his parents Nicole and René Goutorbe on the the 22 hectares of the estate mainly planted with Pinot Noir (70%) but also with 25% of Chardonnay and 5% of Pinot Meunier. The vineyard is located on the terroirs of Aÿ, Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, Mutigny, Bisseuil, Avenay Val d’Or, Cumières, Hautvillers, Gyé-sur-Seine and Sezanne. The Spécial Club 2006 vintage Grand Cru of Aÿ – 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay – is fresh and rich with gingerbread aromas whereas the 2012 Coteaux – 100% Pinot Noir – is tannic and intense with red fruit and spicy notes aromas.

Located in Etoges, Champagne Grongnet is established in the Champagne region since 1885. 5 generations later, it is now Cécile Grongnet who look after the 18 hectares of vineyard of the estate located exclusively in Etoges and dominated by 60% Chardonnay completed by 20% Pinot Noir 20% Pinot Meunier. The Carpe Diem Rosé de Saignée – 50% Pinot Noir and 50% Pinot Meunier – is complex and generous with blackcurrant and red fruit aromas. The Spécial Club 2009 – 34% Pinot Noir, 18% Meunier and 48% Chardonnay – is crisp and offers a complex bouquet with great power and length.

A family of winegrowers located in Mareuil-Sur-Aÿ since 1960. Jean-Paul Hébrart – took over the operations of Champagne Marc Hébrart in 1997 after his father. Jean-Paul farms 14 hectares of vines on 65 different plots in 6 villages – Aÿ, Avize, Oiry, Chouilly as well as Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, Bisseuil, Avenay Val d’Or, Dizy and Hautvillers – mainly planted with Pinot Noir (70%) completed by Chardonnay (30%). The 2011 Rive Gauche Rive Droite Grand Cru –  50% Chardonnay and 50% Pinot Noir – is delicate and elegant with brioche aromas whereas the Spécial Club 2012 vintage 1er Cru – 55% Pinot Noir and 45% Chardonnay – is perfectly balanced offering pastry and almond notes.

For four generations, the family of Lauren, Clément and Bruno Hervieux has been settled in the village of Sacy creating champagnes under the Champagne Hervieux-Dumez name. The two brothers and their father work together on the 9.5 hectare estate spread over the terroirs of Sacy, Chamery, Ecueil, Mery as well as Villedommange and composed of  22% of Chardonnay, 50% of Pinot Noir and 28% of Pinot Meunier. The Spécial Club 2011 vintage – 50% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir and 20% Meunier – offers elegance and freshness with marmalade and dried fruit notes.

Years of history and tradition for Champagne Vincent Joudart, where generation after generation the family creates elegant champagnes. Last generation at the head of the House, Vincent Joudart cultivates 7 hectares on the slopes of the cru of Ferebrianges and Verneuil. The 40% Chardonnay, 15% Pinot Noir and 45% Pinot Meunier of the estate benefit from the micro-terroir of marl of the vineyard. The Spéciale Club 2011 vintage – 50% Chardonnay, 30% Meunier and 20% Pinot Noir – is mineral and the finish expresses all the complexity of the Pinot Meunier.

Created in the beginning of the 20th century and located in the heart of the Montagne de Reims in the village of Verzy, Champagne Juillet-Lallement manages a total of 4.13 hectares on the terroirs of Verzy but also Sillery. Jean Lallement takes care of this precious vineyard as the 5th generation of grower of his family. He creates the cuvées based on the 40% Chardonnay, 55% Pinot Noir and 5% Pinot Meunier of the estate. The Spécial Club 2008 cuvée – 70% Chardonnay and 30% Pinot Noir – is fresh and perfectly balanced with peach and apples notes.

The origins of Champagne J.Lassalle have been registered since 1942 in Chigny-Les-Roses. Now managed by Chantal Decelle-Lassalle and Angéline Templier – second and third generations -, the estate of 15,50 hectares is divided into 45 plots located in the Montagne de Reims in the villages of Chigny-Les-Roses, Ludes, Montbré, Puisieulx, Rilly La Montagne, Sermiers and Villers Allerand. The vineyard is mainly planted with Pinot Meunier (45%) completed with 30% of Chardonnay and 25% Pinot Noir. The Spécial Club 2007 vintage – 60% Chardonnay and 40% Pinot Noir – is fresh and mineral with complex aromas of dried fruits and licorice.

The Champagne Joseph Loriot-Pagel has been established in Festigny for 6 generations and since the end of the 19th century. Today, Jean-Philippe and Joseph Loriot look after the 9 hectares of the estate and their 20% of Chardonnay, 14% of Pinot Noir and 66% Pinot Meunier. The vineyard is divided on the terroirs of Festigny, Mareuil le Port, Nesles le Repons, Le Breuil, Avize, Cramant and Oger. The Spécial Club 2009 cuvée – 100% Meunier – is round, delicate and fresh with honey and fruit aromas.

Founded at the beginning of the 20th century by Gaston Margaine, Champagne A. Margaine in Villers-Marmery is directed by Arnaud , 5th generation of grower in his family. The 6.5 hectares of vineyards of the estate are exclusively located in the cru of Villers-Marmery with both Chardonnay (90%) and Pinot Noir (10%) grape varieties and divided into more than 40 different parcels. The 2011 Spécial Club cuvée – a 100% Chardonnay champagne – is elegant, ample with a lot of  finesse and offering vegetal notes.

Family estate in Ville-sur-Arce for five generations of grower, Champagne Rémy Massin et Fils was created in 1974. Now managed by Sylvère and Cédric Massin, the 22 hectares of vineyards are divided into 40 different plots spread over the terroirs of  Ville-sur-Arce and Landreville in the  Côte des Bar. The estate is planted mainly with Pinot Noir (75%) completed by 20% Chardonnay and 5% Pinot Blanc. The Spécial Club 2011 vintage – 100% Pinot Noir – is generous, round and fresh with licorice and fruity notes .

Traditional House since 1847 and for five generations, Champagne José Michel et Fils in Moussy is conducted by José Michel. The winegrower takes care of the 10 hectares of vineyards located in the villages of Moussy, Brugny, Saint-Agnan and Brasles. José benefits from the three main grape varieties of Champagne with 40% of Chardonnay, 20% of Pinot Noir and 40% of Pinot Meunier. The Spécial Club 2010 vintage – 40% Meunier and 60% Chardonnay – is mineral with floral and dried fruit notes.

Since 1923, Champagne Moussé Fils has been established in the village of Cuisles but the family history dates back earlier as they have been growing vines since 1750. For 14 years now, Cédric Moussé who represents the 4th generations of winemakers, has joined his father Jean Marc on the estate. The two winegrowers look after the 5,6 hectares spread out across 4 different villages Cuisles, Jonquery, Châtillon, Vandières and benefiting from 85% of Pinot Meunier, 12% of Pinot Noir and 3% of Chardonnay. Les Vignes de mon villages cuvée – 100% Meunier aged on cork – is delicate with crispy, mineral character and shows a great potential whereas the Spécial Club 2012 vintage – 100% Meunier – is fresh and elegant with brioche notes.

At Champagne Nominé-Renard in Villevenard, Simon Nominé – 3rd generation – took over the family House created in 1960. The vineyard of 29 hectares is located on the terroir of Villevenard, Allemant, Broyes, Etoges, Charly as well as Passy-Grigny and is divided between Chardonnay (50%), Pinot Noir (20%) and Pinot Meunier (30%). The Spécial Club 2011 vintage – 90% Chardonnay and 10% Pinot Noir – offers a lot of freshness balanced with vinosity and minerality.

The family business of Champagne Pertois-Moriset was established since 1951 in Le Mesnil-sur-Oger. The third generation represented by Cécile and Vincent Bauchet has took over the estate of 18.60 hectares. The vineyard – located exclusively on the terroir of the Coteaux Sezannais and the Côte des Blancs and is divided between two grape varieties with 80 % of Chardonnay vines and 20% of Pinot Noir. No Spécial Club yet for this newcomer but three lieut-dit 2016 vins clairs – Mesnil Jeamprins, Hautes Mottes and Jutées. As for the 2008 Grand Cru vintage – 100% Chardonnay -, it is buttered and complex with citrus aromas.

At Champagne Salmon in Chaumuzy, it all started in 1958. Three generations of growers later, Alexandre Salmon takes care of the 10 hectares of vineyard located in the Vallée de l’Ardre and composed with a majority of Pinot Meunier (80%) completed by 10% of Pinot Noir and 10% of Chardonnay. But in the family, the producers are also hot-air balloon pilote from father to son. The 2003 vintage – 1/3 Pinot Meunier, 1/3 Pinot Noir and 1/3 Chardonnay – offers the complexity and aromas of old vintages – mocha, coffee and roasted notes – whereas the Spécial Club 2012 vintage – 100% Meunier – is fresh, chiseled and well-balanced with brioche notes.

Founded in 1950 and located in the village of Cumières, the estate of Champagne Sanchez-Le-Guédard is managed by José and Sébastien Sanchez who represent the 3rd generation of grower in their family. Together, they look after the 5 hectares of Chardonnay (20%), Pinot Noir (60%) and Pinot Meunier (20%) spread over the terroirs of Damery, Cumières and Oger. The Spécial Club 2011 vintage – a 100% Pinot Noir champagne – is generous, balance and fruity with a fresh finish.

Located in Chouilly, Jean-Pierre Vazart – 4th generation – took over Champagne Vazart-Coquart et Fils since 1995. The family estate is established in the vineyard since 1785 and now counts 11 hectares composed of a mosaic of plots exclusively in Chouilly and mainly with Chardonnay (95%) completed with 5% Pinot Noir. The 1989 vintage – 100% Chardonnay without malolactic fermentation – is precise and develops a beautiful complexity with butter notes and a great freshness whereas the second 1989 vintage – a 100% Chardonnay with malolactic fermentation – offers mushroom and underwood notes as well as roasted notes. The Spécial Club 2009 vintage – 100% Chardonnay Grand Cru – is generous with white flower and butter notes.

A prestigious event in a historic place to conclude the 2017 Printemps des Champagnes. Once again, the Club Trésors de Champagne association offered a high quality tasting in a friendly atmosphere to the professional visitors.