FOCUS ON ... Champagne Chartogne-Taillet

Unanimous Recognition

The Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France has rewarded Alexandre Chartogne's work with a star. The Guide Bettane et Desseauve calls him "the new prodigy of Champagne". For several years now, Alexandre Chartogne has been admired across the Atlantic and in Asia, thanks to the flair of distinguished sommeliers and renowned importers. He is unanimously recognised as one of Champagne's most exciting winemakers, with a singular vision of terroir-based Champagne.

Since setting up in 2006, Alexandre Chartogne has patiently restored the small vineyards of Merfy and the Saint-Thierry massif to their former glory. He has put them back at the centre of the map of unmissable stops for lovers of inspired champagnes rooted in a terroir and a history. The Chartogne and Taillet families, who have lived in Merfy for centuries, bear witness to a glorious past. In the 16th century, a certain Fiacre Taillet, already mayor and winegrower, began a family tradition of keeping an extremely detailed record of the conditions of each harvest. This treasure trove, kept in the Reims archives, bears witness to the exceptional nature of these terroirs and the knowledge that Alexandre's ancestors already had of them.

The Art of Parcel Winemaking

When Alexandre decided to take over the family estate, he had a decisive encounter that profoundly changed his vision of the winegrowing profession in Champagne. After tasting some of the precious nectars of the 'Master', Anselme Selosse, found in the family cellars, Alexandre asked him if he could come and train alongside him. So it was that he went to Avize, to work with the man who was already at the pinnacle of a different vision of Champagne, based on parcel-based vinification and great terroir wines with a strong identity. It was with his mentor that Alexandre forged his convictions, going against the grain of the prevailing vision of a 'universal' champagne with a standardised taste.

At the same time, Alexandre delves into his family's oldest winegrowing history, going back in time. He discovered that the parcelling out of the vineyards at Merfy was no accident, but the result of patient observation of nature by the Benedictine monks of Saint-Thierry Abbey. This vineyard boasts an incredible diversity of soils, a veritable geological mosaic shaped millions of years ago by the movements of the sea. Over the forty hectares of vineyards today, there is a veritable millefeuille of substrates, ranging from limestone to sand, sandstone, clay and tufa.

Convinced that it is the living, well-preserved soil and subsoil that give a wine its identity, Alexandre practises traditional viticulture, inspired by organic and biodynamic principles. He moves away from the standardised production methods of the Champagne region. With the help of renowned microbiologists Lydia and Claude Bourguignon, Alexandre has meticulously analysed the soils of each parcel to guide his work and the grape varieties grown on the estate. This is spread over a dozen hectares and includes pinot noir, chardonnay and pinot meunier. The soil is worked with the help of horses to avoid compaction, which would damage the essential microbial life. Synthetic products are banned, and fertilisation is carried out using chickens and sheep that 'live' in the vines during the winter. Yields are strictly limited to 8 or 10 bunches per vine, although the region still sees triple-digit yields. Fermentation is carried out using the indigenous yeasts from each plot. Alexandre follows his own path, independent of prevailing fashions and models. He is convinced that Champagne, like great wines, is capable of conveying the messages of its terroir.

With conviction and humility, Alexandre has never stopped refining his winemaking and ageing methods. He never rests on his laurels or his 'truth'. On the contrary, he is constantly searching, observing, tasting and questioning his work. That's how he gets ahead. At just thirty years of age, Alexandre Chartogne is already considered one of the great figures of Champagne. He has mastered the art of parcel-based vinification. His blended champagnes, as well as his rare plot-based cuvées, offer a singular, racy expression of their terroir of origin. Deeply marked by the nature of the soils, they are at once graceful and refined, powerful and balanced, a masterly testament to the terroirs of Merfy and Saint-Thierry, which Chartogne has re-established as one of the Champagne region's must-haves. We've been won over!

Rare and Indispensable

Alexandre Chartogne has brought a forgotten vineyard back to life, revealing the richness of its terroir and the potential of its grape varieties. He is one of the most talented Champagne winemakers of his generation, whose hard work and commitment to respecting the terroir have earned him international recognition. His house, located in the heart of the village of Merfy, has become a benchmark in the world of champagne. By preserving traditional methods and favouring vinification close to biodynamics, Alexandre Chartogne raises his champagnes to a rare level of excellence.

Each bottle produced by Alexandre Chartogne is the fruit of meticulous work and a consuming passion for his craft. The traditional, environmentally-friendly methods he uses preserve the authenticity and purity of the flavours. Chartogne-Taillet champagnes are distinguished by their aromatic complexity, elegance and finesse. Each cuvée is an invitation to discover, taste and marvel.

Chartogne-Taillet produces a wide range of champagnes, from prestige cuvées to more accessible blended champagnes. Among the emblematic cuvées is the Cuvée Sainte Anne, which embodies the pure expression of the Merfy terroir. With its subtle aromas and vibrant freshness, it's the ideal champagne for an aperitif or to accompany seafood. The cuvées Les Couarres and Les Barres, produced from plot selections, offer unique aromatic profiles and great complexity on the palate. Finally, the cuvée Fiacre is a tribute to the family history and the exceptional terroir of Merfy. Aged in oak barrels, it reveals intense aromas and a silky texture that will appeal to lovers of great champagnes.

Chartogne-Taillet pays particular attention to each stage of production, from cultivating the vines to making the cuvées. Each bottle reflects the know-how passed down from generation to generation, a passion for the land and a deep respect for nature. By choosing a Chartogne-Taillet champagne, you will discover the very essence of Champagne, sublimated by the talent of an exceptional winemaker.

In conclusion, Domaine Alexandre Chartogne is a veritable nugget in the heart of the Champagne region, where terroir and passion come together to create exceptional champagnes. Alexandre Chartogne, with his artisanal approach and respect for the terroir, has been able to breathe new life into a forgotten vineyard and reveal all its greatness. When you taste Chartogne-Taillet champagnes, you'll discover wines of rare aromatic intensity, remarkable elegance and profound complexity. Whether you're a champagne lover or simply curious to discover new horizons in taste, a visit to Domaine Alexandre Chartogne in Merfy is a must for an unforgettable experience.

As part of our new investments, we had the opportunity to supply new vinification equipment : 105 HL 304 and 316 stainless steel tanks. We would like to extend our warmest thanks to the Chartogne-Taillet teams for their confidence in us, and we wish them every success in continuing to produce the superb new champagne cuvées that the estate knows how to produce.

📸 Photo and video credits © Champagne Chartogne Taillet

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