Jil Accaries

The champagne house of Jil Accariès sits in the hamlet of Chavenay, part of the commune of Dormans in the Marne Valley. The family tradition goes back to 1936, and today the fourth generation of the Accaries family carries the inherited know-how forward. The siblings Pauline, Pierre and Alex are now at the helm. The house is registered as a récoltant-manipulant, which means the family makes champagne from its own grapes.

Vineyards and grape varieties

The Marne Valley has long been known for Pinot Meunier. The estate farms 17 hectares: 12 of Pinot Meunier, 2 of Pinot Noir and 3 of Chardonnay. The high share of Meunier also shapes the range: the Cuvée Racine is made from Pinot Meunier. By its own account, the estate works in "viticulture raisonnée" and was aiming for certification in sustainable viticulture. That information on the website is an older one, and we could not confirm a current certification.

From pressing to maturity

For vinification, the family has belonged to a cooperative since 1975, but wants to keep control over the whole process. The grapes are pressed at the estate, and the bottles return to the family's own cellars to age on the lees. Remuage, dégorgement, presentation and direct sales are all handled by the family itself.

Patience is the guiding principle here. According to the house, the blends age for an average of five years in the cellar, and the vintage champagnes for ten. The Brut Tradition is a blend of the three grape varieties with five years of cellar ageing. The house recommends serving it well chilled, at 6 to 8 °C, for example as an aperitif.

Visit and tasting

The estate lies at the south-eastern end of the hamlet, borders the vineyards and looks out over the slopes and the valley. The visit lasts about 60 minutes. You can choose between a tour with one glass for 5 euros or with four cuvées for 15 euros. Groups of up to 30 people are possible. The house also carries the "Jeunes talents du champagne" label.

• Address: 7 Rue du Gouffre, Chavenay, 51700 Dormans
• Opening hours: Monday to Friday 9 to 12 and 2 to 5 pm, Saturday and Sunday by appointment only. Please get in touch in advance.