De Carlini Caron

De Carlini Caron is a young estate in Verzenay. The brand was founded in 2018. The grower comes from a winegrowing family. After a career in IT, he returned to his roots and settled as a vigneron. The house is based on the Rue Duchatel Ohauss and should not be confused with the Jean-Yves de Carlini estate on the Rue de Mailly, which trades under its own address.

Two hectares across nine villages

The estate farms 2 hectares of vines, spread across nine villages of the Montagne de Reims. The largest share lies in Verzenay. The village is grand cru and, with around 416 hectares under vine, is one of the largest in Champagne. It is planted mainly with Pinot Noir. Grapes from Verzenay are in demand with the big houses. The north-facing position may come as a surprise. According to the grower, the forest above the village provides a thermal balance. Pressing, vinification and ageing take place at the Verzenay cooperative, which the grower expressly describes as a valuable tool. His cuvées are made from base wines of this terroir.

The cuvées

• Cuvée Passion: 65% Pinot Noir and 35% Chardonnay, grand cru, from vintage and reserve wine, vinified partly in tank and partly in barrel. The Pinot Noir gives body and structure, the Chardonnay freshness. According to the website, the dosage is 8 g/l.
• Rosé de Saignée: 100% Pinot Noir, grand cru. The colour comes from the saignée method rather than from adding red wine. The aromas show strawberry and raspberry, along with freshness and a light tannic note.
• Année d'Or 2018: a vintage cuvée of 50% Pinot Noir and 50% Chardonnay, grand cru, with a dosage of 4 g/l.

Visits and tastings

The family estate welcomes visitors by appointment. Tastings are held at the estate, 1 Rue Duchatel Ohauss in Verzenay. You can reach them by telephone on +33 6 37 63 58 61 or by email at contact@champagnedc.fr. A visit combines nicely with a walk to the Verzenay lighthouse and windmill. The lighthouse houses a champagne museum.