Cattier Champagne

The history and present of the Champagne house Cattier Champagne

Das Champagnerhaus Cattier hat eine lange und faszinierende Geschichte, die bis ins 17. Jahrhundert zurückreicht. 1625 begann die Familie Cattier, in Chigny-Les-Roses, einem charmanten kleinen Dorf im Herzen der Montagne de Reims, Wein anzubauen. Dieses Dorf ist bekannt für seine herausragenden Trauben und zählt zu den ‚Premier Crus‘ der Champagne. Inmitten dieses malerischen Ortes erwarb die Familie 1763 ein Anwesen, das bis heute als Sitz des Unternehmens dient.

The beginnings

Jean Cattier, der Vater der heutigen Generation, war ein wichtiger Akteur in der frühen Geschichte des Hauses. Nach einer schweren Kriegsverletzung während des Ersten Weltkriegs verließ er die Front und begann, seine Trauben selbst zu vinifizieren, da er sie unter den schwierigen Bedingungen des Krieges nicht verkaufen konnte. Dies markierte den Beginn der Weinproduktion bei Cattier Champagne, und 1918 wurden die ersten Flaschen Champagner unter dem Namen Cattier vermarktet. Dieses Datum gilt als offizielles Gründungsjahr des Champagnerhauses.

The winery and the terroir

Today, Cattier owns around 20 hectares of vineyards spread over five different crus in the Montagne de Reims. This terroir is of exceptional quality and is one of the best in the entire Champagne region. A particular highlight of the estate is the famous 'Clos du Moulin' in Ludes. This site is one of the few walled vineyards in the Champagne region to be designated as a "Clos". The Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay grape varieties grow here and are known for their outstanding quality.

The Cattier family

The Cattier champagne house is still an independent family business. Jean-Jacques and Alexandre Cattier, both oenologists from the University of Reims, run the estate with great dedication and passion. They combine traditional methods with state-of-the-art technology. The cellars at Cattier Champagne are impressive: dug into the chalk cliffs at a depth of 30 metres, they offer space for up to 1 million bottles, which can mature here under optimal conditions.

Armand de Brignac

In 2006, Cattier Champagne introduced a new brand: Armand de Brignac. This champagne is now one of the most prestigious and best-known champagnes in the world. It is particularly well known for its eye-catching, metallic bottle with its spade-shaped label. In 2010, Armand de Brignac was named the best champagne in the world by the international Fine Champagne Magazine. This award contributed significantly to the international fame of the brand.

The change of leadership

In 2011, Alexandre Cattier succeeded his father Jean-Jacques and took over the management of the estate. Alexandre had already worked on the estate for eight years and was well prepared to carry on his family's legacy. Together with his cousins Agathe and Marie, the daughters of Liliane and Jean-Louis, he is doing everything he can to develop the knowledge and craftsmanship passed down over 11 generations.

Today's production

Cattier Champagne produces a wide range of champagnes, all of which are characterised by their quality and unmistakable character. The Clos du Moulin is the flagship of the house and is characterised by its complexity and elegance. In addition, Cattier offers a range of vintage champagnes and cuvées that perfectly reflect the terroir of the Montagne de Reims.

The future and innovation of Cattier Champagne

Despite its long history, the Cattier family is not resting on its laurels. They continuously invest in research and development to further improve the quality of their champagnes. At the same time, tradition remains a central part of their philosophy. This is reflected not only in the vineyards and the winery, but also in their commitment to sustainable viticulture and the preservation of the region's natural resources.

The seat of the house

Das Champagnerhaus Cattier hat seinen Sitz nach wie vor in Chigny-Les-Roses. Dieses malerische Dorf liegt in einem Tal unweit von Reims und Epernay und gehört zu den prestigeträchtigsten Lagen der Champagne. Hier verbinden sich Tradition und Moderne auf einzigartige Weise, und die Familie Cattier arbeitet unermüdlich daran, das Erbe ihrer Vorfahren zu bewahren und gleichzeitig die Zukunft des Champagnerhauses zu gestalten.

Conclusion

Cattier Champagne is an outstanding example of a successful family business in Champagne. With a history dating back to the 17th century and an unwavering dedication to quality, Cattier has secured its place among the best Champagne houses in the world. Its champagnes, first and foremost the Clos du Moulin and Armand de Brignac, are recognised and appreciated worldwide. The Cattier family is committed to preserving and building on this heritage by combining tradition and innovation in perfect harmony.

The Cattier champagne house remains a shining example of excellence and passion in Champagne, and it is certain that its champagnes will continue to win the hearts of connoisseurs around the world.