Sarl Ernest Remy

Isabey Remy and Zélia Dubois, both from winemaking families, married and founded their estate in Mailly-Champagne in 1883. Their champagne has carried the name Ernest Remy since 1927, when the couple's grandson took over. Since 2008 Alice, Ernest's granddaughter, and her husband Tarek Berrada have carried the family tradition forward. Both are art historians, and their route back to the family inheritance is an unusual one for Champagne.

Pinot Noir from grand cru sites

The vineyard covers 15 hectares in the pure grand cru villages of Mailly-Champagne and Verzenay, planted mainly with Pinot Noir and a little Chardonnay. Hachette also lists Verzy as a location. Pinot Noir is at the heart of it: the house puts this grape from the grand cru sites of Mailly-Champagne first. The estate holds VDC and HVE3 certification.

The cuvées

The range is clearly built around Pinot Noir. It includes blancs de noirs, a rosé de saignée made from 100% Pinot Noir and a ratafia. Within it you will find a Brut Blanc de Noirs Grand Cru, a vintage blanc de noirs as an Extra Brut, a demi-sec and the Oxymore, a brut nature with no dosage. For the Brut, the house cites hand-picked, selected grapes and 36 months of ageing in vaulted chalk cellars, which is several times the required minimum. The wine shows aromas of ripe orchard fruit, and on the palate it is vinous, with ripe apple and pear and a long, straight finish.

Visiting and tasting

The house is at 1 Rue Aristide Bouché in Mailly-Champagne. Visits are by appointment only. The tour lasts 30 minutes on average and is offered in German, English and French. A tasting is possible. You can reach the house by phone on +33 3 26 97 63 55. One cultural touch worth mentioning: every year the Prix Ernest Remy goes to a young pianist at the Concours International Animato.