Joly-Champagne

Joly-Champagne is based in Troissy in the Marne Valley, between Dormans and Épernay. Rémy Joly and his sons Aurélien and Maximilien represent the third and fourth generations on an estate founded in 1880. The family carries on the brand that the grandparents launched in 1954, and is now a récoltant-manipulant. The brothers run the house together today as managing directors.

Vines and sites in the Marne Valley

The estate farms 14 hectares, spread over 45 small plots on the best slopes of Troissy, Verneuil, Châtillon-sur-Marne and Mareuil-le-Port. The Hachette wine guide gives 15 hectares across five villages on both sides of the Marne. The figures therefore differ slightly.

All three champagne grape varieties are grown: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. Pinot Meunier takes up 75 per cent of the vineyard area, because the terroir suits it particularly well. It thrives on the marl and limestone soils of the Marne Valley and produces fruity wines of great finesse. The estate holds the "Exploitation de haute valeur environnementale" certification.

The wines

Joly does not sell grapes or juice to the trade. Maximilien Joly says they process their entire production themselves. The range runs from Brut Nature through Extra Brut and Brut to Demi-Sec. The cuvées include Grand Brut de Réserve, Cuvée Spéciale, Cuvée Spéciale Millésime, Rosé and Elegance. At the Vignerons Indépendants competitions the wines have won medals several times. In 2017 the Cuvée Spéciale Millésime 2012 received gold, while the Grand Brut de Réserve and the Rosé received silver. The house also makes ratafia.

Visit and tasting

The family welcomes guests in its tasting cellar, where you can taste the cuvées made from the three grape varieties. There is a small museum, and cellar tours and vineyard visits are also on offer. If you would like to stay longer, there is a gîte with a five-ear rating (Gîtes de France) and a reception room.

• Opening hours: Monday to Friday 9:00 to 11:45 and 13:45 to 18:00, Saturday 9:00 to 11:45 and 14:00 to 17:30, Sunday and public holidays 9:00 to 11:45
• Address: 14-16 Route de Paris, 51700 Troissy
• Telephone: +33 3 26 52 73 48