Roland
Champion
Champagne
The Estate
This small grower is located in
the Grand Cru Village of Chouilly, in the `Côte des
Blancs`. The vineyard of Chouilly has a south,
southeast sun exposure, which gives the chardonnay its
delicate aromas.
Founded in 1951 by André Champion, his son Roland
expanded the company by purchasing some new land, and
gave his name to the family house of Champagne. François
is the third generation of the family and continues in
his father’s footsteps. He is the enologist and
currently runs the company. He farms their eleven
hectares (27.17 acres) and blends wines resulting from
different parcels and various vintages to elaborate
his Cuvées.
The property consists of
sixteen different parcels planted with the following
grape types:
- Chardonnay: 90%
- Pinot Meunier: 8%
- Pinot Noir: 2%
The
grapes are harvested manually, which is the rule in
Champagne. Then, the grapes are immediately pressed
in-site to avoid oxidation and preserve the quality of
the grapes.
The wine is aged in their cellar made of chalk where
the constant temperature is 10\12°C (50/54°F).
Production is 85,000 bottles
(7,000 cases) yearly, part of which is sold “sur
latte” to negociants. They produce the following
wines:
NV Brut, Blanc de Blanc: 25% of
production
Vintage Champagne, Speciale Club Carte Noire:
70% of production
Rosé Brut: 5% of production
Currently, all wines are 100% pre-sold to an
adoring French clientele. Daughter Carole Champion
represents the third generation to continue with the
property.
A young vineyard
planted in
2004
The grapes blooming
The parcel called
`Les Grandes Terres` in Fall, after the harvest
The same parcel in
May
In the cellar, the
bottles "sur pointes" (vertical storage,
neck down)
The
wines
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