Couvent Fils

Trélou-sur-Marne lies in the south of the Aisne département, in the Marne Valley, halfway between Épernay and Château-Thierry. This is home to Champagne Couvent Fils, a small family estate. According to the Guide Hachette, Sylvie Monnin-Couvent's grandmother put the first champagnes on the market in 1947. Since 1986 the house has been run by Sylvie and Gérard Monnin. Gérard originally comes from the Franche-Comté.

Vineyards and methods

The Hachette guide gives the family estate as 3.5 hectares. Other directories say just under 3 hectares. The vines are Chardonnay, Meunier and Pinot Noir. According to Gault&Millau, the estate does not carry an organic label, but works its vines with respect for soil and environment and with as few treatments as possible. The plots are grassed over. For Esquisse, part of the Pinot Noir is aged in barrel. All the cuvées come from the estate's own grapes. The blends are made with the help of an oenologist, so that the main cuvées keep the same taste from year to year.

The champagnes: Meunier at the centre

The Pinot Meunier grape shapes the house style. It is very present in the cuvées. The range includes Signature, Empreinte, Rosé, Esquisse, Millésime, Plaisir Secret, Cœur de Cuvée Meunier and Exception.

• Empreinte: a blanc de noirs made from 56% Pinot Meunier and 44% Pinot Noir.
• Esquisse: three quarters black grapes (64% Meunier), bringing together the best wines of the estate.
• Cœur de Cuvée Meunier: a cuvée of 100% Pinot Meunier from the first pressing, made with grapes from the good 2018 vintage.
• Millésime: the website currently offers the 2019 vintage.

Visit and tasting

You will usually be welcomed by the growers themselves, Sylvie or Gérard Monnin. The house asks that you book 48 hours ahead by email or phone. A visit includes a look at the traditional press and a tasting of the various cuvées. If you would like to stay longer, there is a holiday cottage on site: the gîte sleeps six and is rated three épis by Gîtes de France. The estate's address is 4-5 Rue Corneille, 02850 Trélou-sur-Marne.