Nomine Renard

Champagne Nominé-Renard is an independent grower estate in Villevenard, on the slopes above the Marshes of Saint-Gond. In September 1914 a fierce battle raged here that halted the German advance. The name refers to two families: in 1960 Germaine Renard and her husband André Nominé founded their own house. The roots go back further still, since grandfather Renard was already making his own cuvées around 1900.

Family and vineyards

The eldest son, Claude, joined the estate after studying oenology. Today his son Simon Nominé runs the house, representing the third generation of champagne growers. The house's own website speaks of the fifth generation. Most sources, however, count three generations in the champagne house. One agency calls Simon a third-generation winemaker and a fifth-generation vine grower.

The estate farms around 21 hectares, though other sources give 20. The plots lie on the slopes of the Petit Morin, in the Sézannais and in the Marne valley. The Club Trésors de Champagne lists the villages as Villevenard, Allemant, Broyes, Etoges and Charly-sur-Marne. Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier are grown here. The chalk subsoils are often overlaid with clay and marl.

“In September 1914 a fierce battle raged here that halted the German advance.

Winemaking and wines

The house holds the Haute Valeur Environnementale and Viticulture Durable en Champagne certifications. Each grape variety and each site is vinified separately. Wines are aged only in stainless steel tanks, to keep them pure and true to their origin. Bottle ageing takes place in chalk cellars. Annual production is around 100,000 bottles.

The range includes Brut, Brut Rosé, Blanc de Blancs, Blanc de Noirs, Demi-sec and the vintage Spécial Club. The Brut Nominé is regarded as the flagship: almost all of the estate's plots are represented in it. The house is one of the founding members of the Club Trésors de Champagne, set up in 1971. The Spécial Club 2012 received 93 out of 100 points in the Gault&Millau guide.

Visiting

The estate welcomes visitors at 32 Rue Vigne l'Abbesse in Villevenard. According to the champagne trade association, opening hours are Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. The Club Trésors lists visits by appointment. Booking ahead is therefore advisable. French, English, German and Italian are spoken.