Paul Berthelot

Champagne Paul Berthelot is a family business founded in 1884. Emile Berthelot is regarded as the founder, though some sources name him and his brother Georges together. The family now spans five generations. Paul Berthelot ran the house from 1940 to 2000. His relative Jacques took charge of the vineyard from 1960 and expanded it. Today Arnauld Berthelot, a grandson of Paul, leads the work in vineyard and cellar. His wife Valérie looks after sales and communication.

Sites, grape varieties and way of working

The estate farms 16 hectares. The plots lie in Dizy and Avenay-Val-d'Or, both Premier Cru, as well as in Aÿ, which is classified as Grand Cru. One description of the house also mentions Bisseuil. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay take the largest share, in equal parts. Pinot Meunier plays a smaller role.

The vineyards have been certified Haute Valeur Environnementale (HVE) since February 2012. The family speaks of an adapted approach to farming, intended to preserve the health of the vines. The house also cites a vegan certification. According to the house, the cuvées spend at least three to four years in the cellar before they are released.

“His relative Jacques took charge of the vineyard from 1960 and expanded it.

Cuvées

• Eminence Premier Cru: 60 per cent Pinot Noir and 40 per cent Chardonnay from Dizy and Avenay-Val-d'Or, dosage 7 g/l. The house describes aromas of pear, apricot and white peach, later dried fruit and honey.
• Blason d'Or Grand Cru: half Chardonnay and half Pinot Noir from Aÿ. Only the first pressing, the “cuvée”, is used. Here too the dosage is 7 g/l.
• Blanc de Noirs from 100 per cent Meunier: It comes from selected plots in Dizy, Avenay-Val-d'Or and Bisseuil. The Gault&Millau guide rates it 92 out of 100.

Alongside the classic cuvées from all three grape varieties, the house also bottles single-plot cuvées.

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Visiting and tasting

The family has moved from Dizy to Pierry, near Épernay. The new house is at 5 Rue du Clairon Guillaume Roland. From the reception room you can see the tanks, the barrels and the wine library. Visits are possible by appointment, telephone +33 3 26 55 23 83. According to Reims Tourisme, the tour of the production area with a tasting of two cuvées costs 15 euros. If you plan to visit the family, check beforehand whether your appointment is in Pierry or at the old site in Dizy.