Vazart Coquart & Fils

Chouilly is the northernmost grand cru village of the Côte des Blancs. Here Jean-Pierre and Caroline Vazart run the house of Vazart-Coquart & Fils in the third generation, in a red brick house dating from 1865. The family had been working in viticulture for a long time. Their own brand goes back to the 1950s, and the house's website gives the year as 1954. Jean-Pierre joined his father Jacques in 1991 and officially took over the running of the estate in 1995. Louis, Jacques and Jean-Pierre have each left their mark on it in turn.

Sites and vines

The estate farms 30 parcels covering 11 hectares, all in Chouilly. The plantings are 95 per cent Chardonnay and 5 per cent Pinot Noir. The vines are 45 years old on average and grow on chalk subsoil. Among the sites is the highly regarded Montaigu vineyard. The parcel "Les Aventures" provides the Cuvée Terre Cuite.

Way of working

In 2012 Vazart-Coquart was one of the first three wine estates to gain Haute Valeur Environnementale certification. In 2017 Jean-Pierre began converting all the vineyards to organic farming. The first certified organic harvest followed in 2020. The estate is also credited with the Viticulture Durable en Champagne label.

In the cellar, the signature is ripeness. The wines are made in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, with partial malolactic fermentation. In the Brut Réserve, 67 per cent comes from the vintage and 33 per cent from a perpetual reserve begun in 1982. The same solera forms the base of the cuvées in the 82/ range. The Terre Cuite is vinified in a terracotta egg.

Cuvées, visiting and tasting

The house has been a member of the Club Trésors de Champagne since 1996. Its prestige cuvée for the club is called Spécial Club. Alongside it come Grand Bouquet, Cuvée Camille, a rosé and several extra brut bottlings. You will find the range listed, for example, at Lambier Wines.

• Tasting and sales: Both are possible at the estate.
• Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 8.00 to 11.30 am and from 2.00 to 4.30 pm, Saturdays by appointment only.
• Address: 6 Rue des Partelaines, 51530 Chouilly