Remi Henry

Champagne Rémi Henry is a family estate in the heart of Bouzy. The house sits entirely on the terroir of Bouzy, which is classified 100 per cent Grand Cru, on the Montagne de Reims, within the triangle formed by Reims, Épernay and Châlons. Bouzy is one of the 17 Grand Cru villages of Champagne and has long been regarded as the Pinot Noir village of the Montagne de Reims.

Family and history

In 1985 Rémi Henry took over his grandparents' vineyards. Together with his wife Odile he founded the champagne house. Today their son Marc-Antoine Henry runs the estate as the second generation. He trained in various regions of France and abroad, and brings a more personal signature to this historic terroir. The house is a Récoltant-Manipulant and a member of the Champagne de Vignerons association.

Vineyard and cellar

The estate grows Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The chalk subsoil gives the Pinot Noir tension and a mineral power that develops slowly in the cellar. The vines are farmed with respect for the environment, and the house holds the Haute Valeur Environnementale and Viticulture Durable en Champagne certifications. Organic certification is not documented.

“Particularly noteworthy is the "Âge d'or" collection of long-aged vintages such as 1995, 1999 and 2003, also available in magnum.

Stainless steel dominates in the cellar. For the Bouzy Rouge and the Blanc de Noirs, half-muids (500 litres) are used, and some wines are aged without malolactic fermentation. The house does not state its vineyard area in the sources I checked.

The wines

The range comprises eleven cuvées in four collections. The entry point is the Tradition: hand-harvested, vinified in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, a blend of 70 per cent Pinot Noir and 30 per cent Chardonnay from different vintages, aged at least 24 months in the cellar. Alongside it you will find, among others, a Prestige, a Rosé and a Réserve, as well as the still Bouzy Rouge. Particularly noteworthy is the "Âge d'or" collection of long-aged vintages such as 1995, 1999 and 2003, also available in magnum. The style is marked by precision and balance.

Visiting

The house is at 1 Rue de Louvois in Bouzy and offers tastings. French and English are spoken. Opening hours are given as Monday to Saturday, 9am to 5pm. Do ring ahead (+33 3 26 57 82 13), especially for groups.