Roger Coulon

Champagne Roger Coulon is a family estate whose history goes back to 1806. It is based in Vrigny, a Premier Cru village on the Montagne de Reims. Eric and Isabelle Coulon represent the eighth generation, and their children Louise and Edgar have now joined the estate. That puts the ninth generation in place.

Family and history

Before the age of sparkling wine, the family's forebears made still wines on the Montagne de Reims. In 1935/36 Marcel Coulon sold champagne under his own name for the first time. His son Roger took over the house but died young. In 1991 Eric Coulon founded Roger Coulon et Fils in Vrigny. Together with his wife Isabelle he started a perpetual reserve in 1995, expanded fermentation in wood and gave up fining and filtration.

Vines and way of working

The family farms 11 hectares spread over more than a hundred plots. Depending on the source, the figure given is 109 or 115 plots. The vineyards lie in Vrigny, Gueux and Coulommes-la-Montagne, with Chouilly on the Côte des Blancs added to the mix. Pinot Meunier takes up about half of the area, 25 per cent is Pinot Noir and the rest Chardonnay. The estate works with agroforestry and is certified organic. In the cellar there are stainless steel tanks and oak barrels. No selected yeasts are used for the first fermentation, and sulphur is kept to the bare minimum.

Cuvées, visits and tasting

The best-known wines include:

• Esprit de Vrigny: a Brut Nature from Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay.
• L'Hommée: an Extra Brut Premier Cru from Vrigny.
• Héri Hodie: a Premier Cru made from Meunier.
• Les Hauts Partas: a single-plot cuvée from Chouilly, a Grand Cru village on the Côte des Blancs. The plot was acquired in 2013.
• Blanc de Noirs franc de pied: the 2008 and 2014 vintages come from two plots in Vrigny and Gueux, planted directly in sand and ungrafted.

On a visit, Eric and Isabelle Coulon show you the cellar, the press and the wine library, and pour four champagnes. The tour lasts about 90 minutes. Since April 2013 there has also been a guesthouse, Le Clos des Terres Soudées. Current opening times and booking details can be found on the estate's website: champagne-coulon.com.