Th Petit

Th. Petit is a family-run estate at 11 Rue Colbert, in the heart of Ambonnay. The village lies on the Montagne de Reims and is classified 100% grand cru. The house farms a good six hectares on chalk slopes where Pinot Noir dominates, sheltered from the north winds and with plenty of sun. According to the grower, the vineyards face south to south-east.

Three generations and a fresh start after 1929

To escape the crisis of 1929, Théophile Petit began selling his champagne himself. His son André took over in 1948 and, during the years of economic recovery, expanded the vineyard holding from one to 6.3 hectares. From 1995 he trained his niece Bénédicte Bérard-Meuret, who now runs the estate. She farms with environmentally friendly methods and lets her wines age for a long time. In the sources I checked, the estate is not listed as certified organic.

Grape varieties and cuvées

According to Gault&Millau, the vineyard is planted 80% to Pinot Noir and 20% to Chardonnay. Not the entire harvest is vinified on site: pressing takes place at the Saint Réol cooperative, 50% (Pinot Noir) goes to Union Champagne and the village cooperative, and the rest is kept for the estate's own cuvées.

The range includes Brut, Demi-sec, Blanc de Blancs, Rosé, Coteaux Champenois and vintage cuvées, including the Cuvée Prestige. There is also a Blanc de Noirs as a Brut Nature, and the Cuvée Prestige, for which the vintages 2006, 2008 and 2013 have most recently been mentioned. For the still wine, the red Coteaux Champenois, the estate uses the name “L'Ambonnay Rouge”. It is made only in good years.

Visiting and tasting

• Address: 11 Rue Colbert, 51150 Ambonnay
• Opening hours: One directory lists Monday to Saturday, 9am to 5pm. It is worth checking before you set off.
• Contact: champagnethpetit.com