Seleque Jean

The house of Jean Sélèque is in Pierry, a premier cru village 5 km from Épernay. It is a family estate with roots in the 1960s. Do not confuse it with the house of J-M Sélèque in the same village, which is run independently by Jean-Marc Sélèque, son of Richard Sélèque.

Family and history

The house's own website gives 1965 as the founding year, when Henri and Françoise Sélèque set up the house with the help of Françoise's father, Jean Bagnost. Bagnost was mayor of Pierry and founder of the village cooperative. He planted the first vine rows in 1966 together with his son-in-law Henri. Other sources date the family's start to 1969, the year the first bottles under their own name were sold. In 1974 Jean Sélèque began working the vines and selling his champagne. In 2008 his daughter Nathalie took over the estate and in April 2013 launched the Jean Sélèque brand. She is the eldest daughter of Jean and Michèle.

Vineyards and cuvées

According to the house, the vineyard area is just under 5 hectares across 4 villages, including one premier cru site. Gault&Millau gives 5.4 hectares in Moussy, Pierry, Épernay and Boursault. The grape varieties split into 50% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Meunier and 10% Pinot Noir. The vines are farmed according to viticulture raisonnée, an environmentally conscious approach that is not certified organic. According to the Guide Hachette, the cuvées are made at Cogevi, the oldest cooperative in Champagne.

The range is broad. It includes Brut Tradition, Cuvée Spéciale 1er Cru, Rosé, Réserve Extra-Brut, Blanc de Blancs, Blanc de Noirs, Demi-sec, Vieilles Vignes and a Millésimé. The Cuvée Or Blanc is a pure Chardonnay, half of it vinified in oak barrels. The Blanc de Noirs from 100% Meunier, which spends at least three years on the lees, has also drawn attention.

Visiting Pierry

You will find the estate at 12 Rue de l'Égalité. According to the Comité Champagne directory, it is open daily from 10am to 6pm. Nathalie Sélèque presents her cuvées in person on site. It is best to phone briefly before you set off, especially during the harvest.