Dumenil

Champagne Duménil was founded in 1874 by Emile-Paul Duménil, who ran a grocery shop and a café in Chigny-les-Roses alongside his vineyard work. Today Frédérique runs the family estate in the fifth generation. She is the founder's great-granddaughter and is responsible for the blending of the champagnes. Her husband Hugues looks after the vineyards. He comes from a long line of growers in neighbouring Sacy.

Vineyards and methods

The estate covers 8 hectares, all classified Premier Cru. The vines are spread across four villages: Chigny-les-Roses, Ludes, Sacy and Rilly-la-Montagne. The plots are small and numerous, and the soils are clay and chalk. The Club Trésors de Champagne gives the plantings as 35% Pinot Noir, 35% Meunier and 30% Chardonnay. The vineyards are farmed according to the principles of sustainable viticulture (raisonnée), and the estate is HVE3 certified. Wherever possible the work is done by hand, and in the oldest plots with horses.

The champagnes

The aim is for the wines to keep the fruit, freshness and finesse of the terroir after a long time ageing in the cellar. Carefully stored reserve wines from older vintages serve this purpose. The range includes Réserve 27, Rosé de Montagne, Les Pêcherines and Histoire de Chardonnays, among others. The "Trilogie" line presents the three crus of Chigny-les-Roses, Rilly-la-Montagne and Ludes with the three grape varieties. Meunier is regarded as the signature of the house, alongside Chardonnay (in Chigny-les-Roses since 1969) and Pinot Noir. The estate is a member of the Club Trésors de Champagne.

Visit and tasting

Contrary to what the earlier text said, visitors are not received in Chigny-les-Roses. The press house and cellar have moved from Chigny-les-Roses to Sacy, and that is where you will meet the family. Frédérique Poret will take you through a range of vintages and the know-how of the house. The address is 38 Rue du Puits in Sacy. It is advisable to book in advance via the estate's website.