L. Huot Fils

The champagne house L. Huot Fils is based in Saint-Martin-d'Ablois, a wine village south of Épernay. The Huot family have been growing vines there since the 19th century. In 1950, Louis Huot launched his own champagne. His son Louis and his grandson Jean-Pierre developed the brand further. Today Virginie and Olivier Huot run the estate. They are the fourth generation of the family.

Vineyards and grape varieties

As Récoltants-Manipulants, the Huots farm around 8 hectares. They grow Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay. The vines sit on the Coteaux Sud d'Épernay, spread across the villages of Saint-Martin d'Ablois, Vinay, Chavot and Monthelon. Older sources still give 7 hectares. The family's website now states about 8 hectares.

The estate is certified Haute Valeur Environnementale (HVE). Previously it was listed in guides under raisonnée viticulture (sustainable, low-intervention farming). Organic certification is not documented in the sources I checked. In the family's own words, they combine inherited values with modern oenological techniques.

The cuvées

The family blends the cuvées themselves from their own vineyards. The range includes:

• Brut Réserve: This contains a higher proportion of reserve wines and combines several vintages. One retailer's description mentions a round palate with peach and almond.
• Brut Carte Noire: All three grape varieties are included, with 50 per cent Pinot Meunier as the largest share (as of a description from 2013).
• Initiale: A Brut Zéro, made without any dosage liqueur.
• Brut Rosé: The rosé is intended for menus accompanied entirely by champagne.

Visiting and tasting

Visitors get to know the press house, the cuverie and the cellar. The tour ends with a tasting. The estate is open Monday to Saturday, 9am to 6pm, by appointment only. The address on the website is 27, rue Julien Ducos, telephone +33 3 26 59 92 81. Some directories give the house number as 19 instead.