Follet Ramillon

Follet-Ramillon is a small grower champagne house in Belval-sous-Châtillon on the right bank of the Vallée de la Marne. The house gives 1955 as its founding year, while the Guide Hachette says 1950. The name comes from the union of the Follet and Ramillon families. Joël and Nicole Follet founded the present company, which has held Vigneron Indépendant status since 2000. Until then the families supplied the cooperative.

The family

The vineyards are now run by Jérémy and Yannick Follet, the fourth generation. Nicolas Follet is an oenologist and has worked as a consultant for 17 years. He has gathered his knowledge in South Africa, Argentina, the USA and Italy, among other places. Joël Follet has been making champagne since 1984.

Vineyards and grapes

The estate's roughly 4.5 hectares are spread across the Marne Valley (Belval-sous-Châtillon, Trélou-sur-Marne) and the Montagne de Reims (Villedommange). The website also mentions Marfaux. The plantings are 74% Pinot Meunier, 20% Chardonnay and 6% Pinot Noir. Meunier therefore sets the style of the house. The estate is certified "Viticulture Durable en Champagne" and "Haute Valeur Environnementale".

In the cellar and in the glass

Reserve wines are kept in barrels or in the foudre. The house does without filtration, fining and accelerated stabilisation. The dosage is 0 to 5 g/l, so according to the website the house's champagnes are all Extra Brut. A 55-hectolitre foudre has been used for the Cuvée Harmonie since 2004.

The range includes Terroirs, Harmonie, Le Meunier, Le Chardonnay and a Brut Nature, among others. Terroirs brings together the sites of Belval, Villedommange, Trélou and Passy-sur-Marne and, in the edition I tasted, is 80% Pinot Meunier and 16% Chardonnay. The Brut Harmonie, matured in barrel, won a silver medal at the Vignerons Indépendants competition in 2016.

Visiting

The house sells directly from the estate. The website gives opening hours of Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm. It is advisable to book by phone (+33 3 26 58 11 68) or by email at info@champagnefollet.com. The address is 29 Grande Rue, 51480 Belval-sous-Châtillon.