Eric Legrand

Éric Legrand runs a family estate in Celles-sur-Ource, in the heart of the Côte des Bar in the Aube département. He is the grandson of a winemaker from the Aube. He inherited his passion and knowledge from his grandfather Raymond. In 1982, after training with Raymond, he founded his own estate.

Origins and vineyards

The family's roots go back to Joseph Cheurlin, who in 1794 owned 3.30 hectares of vines and a press. In 1932 Raymond Cheurlin was selling sparkling champagne. Today the vineyard covers 13 hectares, mainly in the two crus of Celles-sur-Ource and Landreville. According to one retailer, they are spread across 13 lieux-dits in the crus of Celles-sur-Ource, Landreville and Polisot. The vines grow on limestone slopes.

Half of the plots are planted with Pinot Noir, alongside 35 per cent Chardonnay, 10 per cent Pinot Blanc and 5 per cent Meunier. Pinot Blanc has a tradition in Celles: the commune has 20 hectares of this rare champagne grape variety.

Methods and cuvées

Picking is done by hand, and the vineyards follow the principles of agriculture raisonnée. One retailer also mentions HVE certification (Haute Valeur Environnementale). The wines are made using the traditional method in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks.

• Brut Réserve: 80 per cent Pinot Noir, 20 per cent Chardonnay, dosed as a brut.
• Prestige: 100 per cent Chardonnay, awarded gold at the Concours Général Agricole in Paris in 2020.
• Rosé: 100 per cent Pinot Noir, awarded silver at the Concours Général Agricole in 2020.
• Reminescence: a champagne made from 100 per cent Pinot Blanc.

The next generation and your visit

His son Édouard joined the estate. In 2017 Valentin also returned, to build up the export side. Tastings and visits are by appointment only. The estate is open Monday to Friday. The address is 39 Grande Rue, Celles-sur-Ource. The house's current website is champagne-legrand.com.