Charlier Billiard

Charlier-Billiard came about through the joining of two champagne families and is made in Damery, the mother's home village. Damery lies in the Marne Valley, about ten minutes from Épernay. The name stands for a couple of growers whose two families both brought winegrowing with them.

Two families, one champagne

The Charlier family from Montigny-sous-Châtillon and the Billiard family from Damery have been selling their champagne themselves since the post-war years, at a time when many growers only supplied grapes. A photograph from the 1940s shows the traditional harvest at Champagne Lucien Billiard in Damery. The estate itself speaks of four generations. The Sparkling World directory dates the Charlier-Billiard brand to 1981 and lists a production of around 15,000 bottles. The couple farm the vineyard themselves, make the champagne and sell it themselves. The logo, a Napoleonic eagle, comes from the mother's family estate.

Vineyards and cuvées

The plots lie between Damery and Montigny. Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir are grown. According to a wine portal, the soils consist of marl, limestone, sand and chalk. The same portal lists hand harvesting and bottle fermentation using the traditional champagne method, and classes the viticulture as conventional. The range includes Brut Réserve, Brut Rosé, Demi-Sec and the Cuvée Prestige, plus a Blanc de Blancs Millésimé.

Visits and tastings

The estate offers visits to its vaulted chalk cellars. Its own website speaks of cellars that are more than 250 years old. Visits and tastings are by appointment. The telephone number is +33 3 26 58 43 18. The address: 14 Rue Jean Mermoz, 51480 Damery.