Veuve Eleonore

The house of Veuve Éléonore is based on the Rue Margot in Oger, a grand cru village in the heart of the Côte des Blancs. Épernay is about 11 kilometres (7 miles) away. Oger is now part of the commune of Blancs-Coteaux, which was formed by merging several villages. The estate works as an independent grower, a récoltant-manipulant, so its champagnes are made from its own grapes.

Family and history

Bernard Dzieciuck founded the estate in 1965 in the Côte des Blancs, at first with just 5 ares of vines. He made his first champagne ten years later. His children Didier, who works in the cellar, and Carole, who looks after sales, later took over. Today the house's website features Didier Dzieciuck and Anastasia Tranchard. Didier calls her his niece. Together they steer the development of the maison.

Vines and way of working

The house now farms 13.30 hectares of vines. The champagnes are mostly grands crus made from 100% Chardonnay. One plot lies in Oger itself, at the edge of the forest. Many people smile at this site, but its wine stands out for its expression. The vines are managed following the principles of "raisonné" viticulture (sustainable, with minimal intervention), and the harvest is picked by hand. The wines are made by the traditional method. Part of the wine is aged in wood, in oak barrels.

“One example cuvée is a Chardonnay from Le Mesnil-sur-Oger from the 2016 vintage, vinified in foudre without malolactic fermentation and blended with 2013 reserve wines from tank.

What this looks like in practice is shown by a description in the Guide Hachette. One example cuvée is a Chardonnay from Le Mesnil-sur-Oger from the 2016 vintage, vinified in foudre without malolactic fermentation and blended with 2013 reserve wines from tank. In the glass it is full-bodied and youthful, with fresh aromas of white fruit.

Cuvées, visits and tasting

The range includes the blanc de blancs Prestige d'Antan, the Grand Cru Émotion and the Cuvée Mystère 9. The latter combines Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. There are also rosés such as the Rosé de Saignée and the Cuvée Andésine. Both are made from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The Guide Hachette singled out the Prestige d'Antan early on. It "sort du lot", as they put it, meaning it stands out from the average.

The house invites visitors to taste the wines and see the village as part of a route through the Côte des Blancs. According to Hachette, tastings are possible at the estate. It is best to book ahead. You can reach the house by telephone on 03 26 57 50 49 (from the UK: +33 3 26 57 50 49).