Legret & Fils

Legret & Fils is a family estate in Talus-Saint-Prix. The village lies north of Sézanne, on the way towards Épernay. In 1965 Jean-Pierre and Jacqueline Legret, the third generation, founded the estate and the "Champagne Jean-Pierre Legret" brand. In 1986 Alain Legret joined the business after studying viticulture and oenology. In 2000 the family extended the cellars and installed a press in order to become independent. In 2006 his parents retired, and since then Alain has run the estate together with his wife Sandrine. The "Legret & Fils" label stands for the next generation, embodied by their sons Raphaël and Samuel.

Sites and grape varieties

The estate covers 5 hectares on the slopes of the Petit Morin and in the Sézannais. Pinot Noir and Meunier grow in Talus-Saint-Prix and Oyes, on south-facing plots of clay and silt. Chardonnay stands in Sézanne and Barbonne, where the chalk subsoil suits it particularly well. The plantings are 40% Meunier, 30% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay.

“In 1965 Jean-Pierre and Jacqueline Legret, the third generation, founded the estate and the "Champagne Jean-Pierre Legret" brand.

Working methods

The claim "exclusively organic" deserves a closer reading. The estate committed to organic farming from the 2022 harvest. It also practises vitiforestry, planting various native tree species right in among the vines. Viticulture and vinification are vegan, and the vegan certification has been in place since 2016. It covers everything from the vineyard to bottling and labelling. The website also mentions Terra Vitis certification. For some cuvées Alain Legret still riddles by hand. All the champagnes and the ratafia age for at least six years before they go on sale.

Cuvées, visits and tastings

The range comprises six champagnes, four white and two rosé, made as Brut Nature and Extra Brut. They include:

Alkohol Champagner

• Équilibre (Extra Brut): 40% Meunier, 30% each of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, aged six years on the lees.
• Contraste: 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay.
• Rosé de Saignée: a Brut Nature made from Pinot Meunier.
• Blanc de Blancs Minéral: awarded gold at the Vignerons Indépendants in 2017.

On a visit the estate shows you the cellars, the press and the fermentation room, explains how champagne is made and invites you to a tasting. The tour lasts 45 minutes on average. For individual visitors it costs €15 and includes a tasting of three cuvées. Ask about opening hours in advance, as the sources give differing information.