Charlier & Fils

Two growing families, five generations

The house lies in Montigny-sous-Châtillon, a village in the Vallée de la Marne appellation on the tourist route between Épernay and Dormans. Its roots go back to 1892, when Armand Perrin, a cooper by trade, began selling the champagne he aged in casks from his own cooperage. On the Charlier side of the family, Roland and Andréa sold their bottles from 1956. Their son Jackie and his wife Nicole carried on the business on their own as récoltant-manipulant. In 1992 Carole Charlier and Yves Perrin took over the running of the house, and the brand has been called Charlier & Fils ever since. Maxime Perrin, the fifth generation, has worked at the estate since 2004.

Vines and foudres

The estate farms 15 hectares. The plots lie in Montigny-sous-Châtillon, Châtillon-sur-Marne, Œuilly, Mareuil-le-Port, Jonquery and Courthiézy. The vineyard is planted 69 per cent to Meunier, 20 per cent to Chardonnay and 11 per cent to Pinot Noir.

“Its roots go back to 1892, when Armand Perrin, a cooper by trade, began selling the champagne he aged in casks from his own cooperage.

What sets the house apart is its use of wood. It keeps its entire production in large oak casks, the foudres, whereas other houses reserve them for their top cuvées. 43 foudres are used to age the cuvées, most of them engraved with scenes and figures. The wines spend at least eight months in wood, and reserve wines several years.

The range includes Carte Noire, Rosé de Saignée Prestige, Perle de Rosée, Meunier Addict as a blanc de noirs, and Secret de Terroir. The vintage champagne Bacchus blends the three champagne grape varieties in equal parts. At the IWSC 2019, Carte Noire Brut NV and Spécial Club 2005 each won a bronze medal.

Visit and tasting

The house welcomes visitors into its cellars. A dedicated tasting cellar was built for the purpose in 2000. On request, you can taste inside a monumental 18th-century foudre. It holds as much as 45,000 bottles and is furnished with a table and chairs.

One detail on the house's website differs from some descriptions: according to the contact page, tastings are only possible by appointment, by telephone (+33 3 26 58 35 18) or by email. Opening hours are Tuesday to Friday from 9 am to 12 noon and from 2 pm to 5.30 pm, Saturday from 10.30 am to 12 noon and from 3 pm to 5.30 pm, and Sunday from 10.30 am to 12 noon.