Meteyer Pere & Fils

Champagne Météyer Père & Fils is based in Trélou-sur-Marne in the Aisne département. It is the first village in the département on the right bank of the Marne after Dormans. The family story begins in the 1860s, when Pierre Clément, a vigneron in Trélou, inherited one hectare of vines from his father-in-law. In 1929 he became the first in the village to install his own press.

Family and vineyard

According to the Guide Hachette, Franck Météyer belongs to the fifth generation and has worked as a récoltant-manipulant since 1998. He runs the house together with his wife Anna. He works by the method his grandfather taught him.

The estate's 14 hectares are planted with 60 per cent Meunier, 25 per cent Pinot Noir and 15 per cent Chardonnay. Meunier is therefore the house speciality. The vineyards run along the south-facing slopes beside the Route touristique du Champagne. The house carries the HVE (Haute Valeur Environnementale) label. The champagnes age for at least 36 months in the cellar before they go on sale. Production is around 45,000 bottles a year.

The cuvées

The range runs from Tradition and Carte Argent, via the rosé Harmonie Rosé, to Cuvée Prestige, Exclusif, Expression Noir and Folies Douces. There is also a ratafia. The Cuvée Nuits Blanches has a tongue-in-cheek name and was created long before the family's twins were born. The Cuvée Météyer Père et Fils is a brut nature with no dosage, pure Meunier from the estate's oldest vineyard parcel, harvested in 2006. The Carte d'Argent brings the three champagne grape varieties together in equal parts.

Visit and award

Météyer is the first Vigneron Indépendant to receive the Prix Pierre Cheval de l'Embellissement from the UNESCO mission Coteaux, Maisons et Caves de Champagne. A visit includes 18th-century cellars and a family museum. Guided tours take place at 10:30 or 14:30 by reservation. There are visits, tasting workshops and food pairings with champagne. On its website the estate also offers guest rooms, rated three stars.