Morize Père & Fils

Les Riceys lies at the very south of the Côte des Bar, in the Aube département. The village is known for three appellations: Champagne, Rosé des Riceys and Coteaux Champenois. This is where the Morize family run their estate, Morize Père & Fils.

One family, many roots

The family has lived in Les Riceys since 1830, though they did not make wine from the start. The Morizes only built up their estate at the beginning of the 1960s, having previously made vineyard ploughs. They launched their own brand in 1964. Today they have been working as récoltants-manipulants for three generations, which means they harvest and vinify their own grapes. Only fruit from their own vineyards is used, planted with Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc. One trade directory gives the vineyard area as 6.5 hectares, though this comes from a single source.

The wines

Pinot Noir shapes the house style. The Cuvée Réserve is 85% Pinot Noir and 15% Chardonnay, and ages for six years in the cellar. According to Europages, the range also includes the Tradition, Élégance and Expression (Brut Nature) cuvées, a Rosé de Saignée and a 2009 Millésime. For ageing, the house states a minimum of five years for the non-vintage bottles and at least ten years for the vintages.

Alongside the champagnes, Morize makes wines from the two still appellations. The house is known for its Rosé de Saignée, its Rosé des Riceys and the rare Coteaux Champenois Blanc. The Guide Hachette rated the Rosé des Riceys four out of five in 2017 and described it as lively.

Visiting and tasting

The cellar dates from the 11th century. The cuvées mature in old Cistercian cellars from the 11th and 12th centuries. The way in leads through a large courtyard with a garden, down into the vaults, and ends in a tasting room. A guided tour with tasting can be booked from 10 euros. As for opening hours, one trade directory lists Monday to Friday 9 am to 12 noon and 2 pm to 6 pm, Saturday 10 am to 12 noon and 2 pm to 5 pm. It is worth phoning ahead before you go: 0033 3 25 29 30 02.