Pierre Lete

Champagne Pierre Lété is a family estate in Damery, a village in the heart of the winegrowing region, seven kilometres from Épernay. The house sits in the lieu-dit "Le Chalet" on the Rue Ernest Vallé. It belongs to the Vallée de la Marne, on the right bank of the Marne.

Family and founding

Pierre Lété is a grower in the third generation, passing the land from father to son. He created his own champagne label to carry on the family's knowledge. That was in 1987. Lété is a grower-producer (French "producteur récoltant"): he makes his cuvées from his own grapes and stays true to the Champenois tradition. The estate calls itself an Artisan Vigneron.

Terroir, grape varieties and cuvées

The vineyards lie exclusively in Damery, on the sunny slopes along the bends of the Marne. The soil is chalk with clay. According to the grower, it is particularly well suited to Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. Chardonnay is also grown. The estate gives no figures for its vineyard area on its website.

The cuvées include:

• Carte d'Or: Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier (together 80 per cent) with 20 per cent Chardonnay. The house describes it as a balance of freshness and vinosity.
• Rosé de Damery: It comes from the oldest parcels of Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir. It shows a salmon-pink colour and a fruity bouquet.
• Cuvée Jacques: The homepage presents it as a blanc de blancs.

Visiting and tasting

The estate receives visitors Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 12 noon and from 2pm to 5pm. At weekends, visits are by appointment only. The cuvées can also be shipped to you. On Tripadvisor, visitors praise the warm welcome, the interesting explanations and the good value for money. The telephone number is +33 3 26 58 40 36.