Michel Fallet

The champagne house of Michel Fallet is based in Drachy, a small hamlet of Charly-sur-Marne in the Aisne département. The village lies in the western part of the Vallée de la Marne, downstream from Château-Thierry. The estate sits on the Route touristique du Champagne, by its own account about 60 km from Reims and 80 km from Paris.

Family and vineyards

The house describes itself as a family of growers in the fifth generation. According to the Guide Hachette, Michel Fallet took over the estate in 1979, which his father and grandfather had farmed before him. Today he runs it with his son Sylvain. The two are Récoltants-Manipulants: they do the vineyard work, vinification, bottling, ageing and selling themselves. The Guide Hachette puts the vineyard area at about 4 hectares around Charly-sur-Marne, while another source gives 4.23 hectares. The three classic Champagne grape varieties are grown: Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The house speaks of a considered, environmentally conscious approach to farming (viticulture raisonnée). It does not mention any organic certification.

The cuvées

The range is wide for a small estate. It runs from a Brut Nature with no dosage to a Demi-sec.

“According to the Guide Hachette, Michel Fallet took over the estate in 1979, which his father and grandfather had farmed before him.

• Tradition Brut: dosage 7 g/l. The house describes the cuvée as cheerful and recommends it for receptions and larger gatherings. In 2024 it won Gold at the Vinalies Internationales.
• Carte d'Or Brut: a blanc de noirs.
• Prestige Brut: a blanc de blancs.
• Rosé Brut: Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir with a share of Chardonnay. To this is added 15 to 20 per cent red wine from the estate's own Pinot Meunier. Dosage 7 g/l.
• Millésime 2016 Brut: the house's vintage champagne.
• Pinot Meunier Brut Nature: a single-variety Meunier with no dosage.

The cuvées have won several awards, including at the Concours Général Agricole, the Vinalies Internationales and in the Guide Hachette.

Visiting and tasting

The house welcomes visitors daily by appointment. A tasting and buying direct from the estate are possible. The family gives personal advice and presents its champagnes themselves. You will find the estate at 4 Rue des Clos du Mont, 02310 Charly-sur-Marne. The village makes a good stop on a drive between Paris and Reims.