Jean Louis Chaure

Jean-Louis Chauré runs a champagne house in Bassuet, a village in the Marne département. Bassuet lies about 10 kilometres from Vitry-le-François. The house is a récoltant-manipulant: it makes champagne from grapes grown on its own vines and sells it under its own name. If you tend to associate the Marne with Épernay and Reims, here you will find a corner of Champagne well away from the beaten track.

Vineyard and way of working

East of Vitry-le-François stretches the Bassuet vineyard, a chalky terroir. The estate names it as the source of the finesse and elegance of its champagnes, with Chardonnay as the grape variety. One directory gives the subsoil as Turonian chalk as well as marly chalk. According to this source, the vineyard covers around 7 hectares. It is farmed following the principles of “viticulture raisonnée”, meaning considered crop protection, limited to what is necessary. This does not mean organic certification.

Every step, from growing the vines to the finished champagne, takes place on the estate itself. According to the house, passion and know-how have been passed down for several generations, and the gestures and methods have stayed the same. In the commercial register the business has been listed as a sole proprietorship since 1 January 1987. That is a registration date, not necessarily the year the family estate was founded.

The cuvées

The range includes white and rosé champagnes. Among those named are the Rosé, the Perle d’Or, the Cuvée Prestige and the Brut Millésimé. One directory also lists a “Vieilles Vignes” champagne. On Wine-Searcher, a Grande Réserve Brut and a Grande Réserve Brut Rosé are listed.

Visits and tastings

The estate welcomes visitors. Guests can see the property, the cuverie and the press, and taste several cuvées. The champagne directory gives visiting times as by appointment only, whereas a regional tourism portal lists fixed opening hours. So do call ahead: +33 3 26 73 91 55. The address is 6 Rue de Vavray, 51300 Bassuet.