Sourdet Diot

The house of Sourdet-Diot is based in La Chapelle-Monthodon, a small village in the Aisne département on the left bank of the Marne, south of Dormans. Since 2016 the village has been part of the commune of Vallées-en-Champagne. It is a little-known corner of the Marne region. The vines stand mostly on south-east-facing slopes.

From Raymond Sourdet to the third generation

The story begins in the 1960s: in 1962 Raymond Sourdet and his wife planted the first vines. At that time all the grapes went to the champagne houses. In 1980 their son Patrick and Nadine Sourdet (née Diot) decided to make their own champagne. Since then the estate has been a Récoltant-Manipulant, which means the wines are made exclusively from its own grapes and produced on the estate. Ludivine Sourdet, the third generation, has worked in the business since 2008. Together with Damien she runs it today. The house belongs to the Fédération des Vignerons Indépendants.

Vineyards and way of working

The figures given for the vineyard area vary: the house itself states 11 hectares, while other sources speak of 8.6 hectares. The estate is HVE certified (Haute Valeur Environnementale). The soils are made up of clay, sand and limestone. Most of the plots lie about 500 metres from the cellar and press house. The most distant plot is in Gueux, near Reims. The grape varieties are split as follows: 75% Pinot Meunier, 20% Chardonnay, 5% Pinot Noir. Meunier therefore shapes the style of the house. Some cuvées are aged in oak barrels and foudres.

The cuvées

• Brut Tradition: 70% Pinot Meunier, 30% Chardonnay
• Cuvée de Réserve: 80% Pinot Meunier, 20% Chardonnay
• Cuvée Prestige: 60% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Meunier. According to the Guide Hachette it is made without malolactic fermentation and spends a long time on the lees.
• Rosé, Millésime and Extra Brut Pur Meunier
• L'Atypique: pure Chardonnay, fermented in barrel

Visitors are welcome at the estate. A tour and a tasting of several champagnes are on offer. On Sundays and public holidays the house recommends booking ahead on +33 3 23 82 46 18.