Morel

The Morel champagne house is based in Les Riceys, the largest wine-growing village in the Côte des Bar, in the Aube département. Les Riceys is unusual: it is the only wine-growing area with three appellations, namely AOC Champagne, AOC Coteaux Champenois (red wine) and AOC Rosé des Riceys. Morel is one of the specialists in this rare Pinot Noir rosé.

One family, several generations

Pascal Morel took over the family estate in 1973, after four generations. He was making Rosé des Riceys before he made champagne. According to the house, sales of its own champagnes began in 1987. Since 2016, Émilie and Simon Morel have run the estate together with their father. Depending on the source, the family is described as being in its fifth or sixth generation. Simon looks after the vineyard, Pascal the production and Émilie sales.

Vineyards and methods

The estate farms 8 hectares of its own vines on slopes at around 300 metres, all facing south or south-east. 90 per cent of the area is planted with Pinot Noir, the remaining 10 per cent with Chardonnay. The soils are clay and limestone. The estate holds HVE (Haute Valeur Environnementale) certification. For some of the cuvées, depending on how suited the musts are, vinification takes place in oak barrels.

The range includes Brut, Réserve, L'Extra, L'Exquis, Pur Rosé, vintage champagnes and the Cuvée Gabriel. Le Point named the Rosé des Riceys among the ten best rosé wines in France. Gault&Millau gave the 2018 vintage 92 out of 100 points. Pascal Morel is also president of the association for the protection of the AOC Rosé des Riceys.

Visits and tastings

The house welcomes visitors for a cellar tour and a tasting of its champagne and Rosé des Riceys, at 93 Rue du Général de Gaulle in Les Riceys. According to the estate, the building dates from the 18th century. To arrange a visit, call +33 3 25 29 10 88 or send an email.