Benoist Pascal

The champagne house of Pascal Benoist is in Les Riceys, at the very south of the Côte des Bars in the Aube département. Troyes is about 50 km away, Dijon about 100 km. The Benoist family has lived here for several generations. In 2004 the two sons joined the estate after studying viticulture and now form the fourth generation of growers.

Les Riceys and its vines

Origin shapes this house. With 886 hectares of vines within the appellation, Les Riceys is the largest commune in Champagne and has three AOCs: Champagne, Rosé des Riceys and Coteaux Champenois. The steep clay and limestone slopes give the wines their character. The Benoists farm plots in several communes neighbouring Les Riceys. Their vineyard is planted with Pinot Noir (65%), Pinot Meunier (30%) and Chardonnay (5%). The house is therefore a classic representative of the Aube, where the red varieties dominate.

Rosé des Riceys is a still rosé, not a champagne. Wine has been grown here since Gallo-Roman times. Louis XIV is said to have thought very highly of it. It became known through the Canats, masons from Les Riceys who helped build the Château de Versailles.

The cuvées

The house is registered as a Récoltant-Manipulant: it makes champagne from its own grapes. According to the vin-vigne.com directory, the range includes Brut Tradition, Brut Réserve, Brut Rosé, Millésimé, Cuvée Prestige, Cuvée Impétueuse and Cuvée Carte Noire. There is also a Rosé des Riceys. Which cuvée is currently available is best checked directly with the grower.

Visiting and tasting

The family receives visitors Monday to Friday, and on Saturdays by appointment. The welcome includes a tasting room and small vaulted cellars. Please note the two addresses: purchases and deliveries go through the Route de Gyé, while home visits with a cellar tour are offered at Rue Gaston Cheq in Le Magny. The Route de Gyé is listed as no. 10 on the website, and as no. 12 in the Les Riceys growers' directory. Do call ahead on +33 3 25 29 10 70.

A walk through the village is worthwhile. A few of the traditional vineyard huts, the cadoles, still stand there.