Christophe Hugot

Christophe Hugot runs his champagne house in Chavot-Courcourt, in the heart of the southern slopes of Épernay. The family has worked the estate for five generations. The house is listed in the Vallée de la Marne. What made it known is a particular feature in the cellar.

The Cuvées de l'Œuf

In 2017 the family decided to vinify its entire production in egg-shaped tanks. According to the house, the shape of the tanks keeps the lees in suspension through natural convection, with no one having to intervene. Ageing and maturation take place exclusively in these ovoid tanks, without filtration. For selected cuvées, no added sulphur is used any more either. That the wines have no precedent in Champagne is the grower's own assessment. They are certainly unusual wines. In 2020 the house was among the finalists of the "Jeunes Talents du Champagne".

Vines and cuvées

Meunier, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are used. Hugot calls his viticulture "ultra raisonnée" without describing it as organic. There are single-varietal cuvées, single-plot bottlings, single-vintage cuvées and blends. According to the growers' directory, the range includes Excellence, Authentique (Blanc de Noirs), Élégance (Blanc de Blancs), an Extra Brut, the Spécial Cuvée (Blanc de Blancs) and the Rosé "R". The magnum has a special place: 50% Pinot Noir from Mailly Grand Cru and 50% Chardonnay from Grauves Premier Cru, with a dosage of 8 g/l. It is made only in this bottle size.

Visit and tasting

The unusual cuverie can be visited. Small groups of no more than 10 to 12 people also see the cellar and the press house, followed by a tasting on site. The website gives the opening hours as weekdays 9 to 12 and 2 to 6 pm, Saturdays 11 am to 4 pm, Sunday mornings by arrangement. It is advisable to announce your visit beforehand by phone or email. You will find the house at 4 Rue d'Ilbesheim, 51530 Chavot-Courcourt.