Quatresols Gauthier

The house of Quatresols-Gauthier is in Ludes, a wine village classified as Premier Cru about ten kilometres from Reims. The village sits on the northern slope of the Montagne de Reims. The Quatresols family is firmly rooted here: René Quatresols founded the estate in 1928. The Quatresols-Gauthier label has existed since 1950, but the family's champagne has been sold since 1928.

Family and vineyards

Today Régis and Guillaume Quatresols run the business. Guillaume has managed the estate since 2005. Accounts of the generations differ: the website speaks of three generations, while the Guide Hachette counts Régis and Guillaume as the third and fourth generation. The vineyard covers about 7 hectares. Older sources give slightly different figures.

The vines grow exclusively in Grand Cru and Premier Cru sites, spread over 36 plots in 27 lieux-dits and five villages, on clay and limestone soils. The three Champagne grape varieties are grown: Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay. The house describes its work as sustainable, measured viticulture (viticulture raisonnée). There is no evidence of organic certification.

The cuvées

The Brut Belle Estime combines 30% Pinot Noir, 40% Pinot Meunier and 30% Chardonnay. The Demi-Sec comes from the same blend and is made sweeter with a richer dosage liqueur. The Blanc de Blancs is 100% Chardonnay. Alongside these are a Blanc de Noirs, a Rosé, the Nectar de Rheims and the Secrets de Chêne. The Secrets de Chêne is aged in barrel.

Visit and tasting

The house shows you the press, the cuverie and the chalk cellar so typical of Champagne. The visit ends with a free tasting of the cuvées. Booking is required. Please call to ask about opening hours. The address is 4 Rue de Reims, 51500 Ludes, and the telephone number is +33 3 26 61 10 13. You can buy the champagnes directly in the house's reception room.