Vincent Joudart

Vincent Joudart runs a family estate in Fèrebrianges. The village lies around 30 km from Épernay. He makes his champagnes entirely himself and sells them himself too: together with his wife he produces and markets 70,000 bottles. The house is a Récoltant-Manipulant, and every cuvée is made entirely on the estate.

Vines and working methods

The estate farms 8 hectares. According to a Swedish importer, the plots are spread across the Marne Valley, the Côte des Blancs and the Côte de Sézanne. The grape varieties are split as follows: 40% Chardonnay, 45% Meunier and 15% Pinot Noir. The estate itself describes their roles like this: Meunier gives the blend roundness, Chardonnay brings delicate floral and citrus notes, and Pinot Noir adds red fruit and structure.

The vineyards are managed in "viticulture raisonnée", that is, controlled, environmentally conscious farming. The estate also holds the Haute Valeur Environnementale certification and the Sustainable Viticulture in Champagne certification. According to Club Trésors, the style of the wines is classic, balanced and racy.

The cuvées

The range includes Brut Réserve, Demi-sec, Blanc de Blancs and Blanc de Noirs (both 2019 vintage), Brut Rosé de Saignée 2020 and Brut Millésime 2018. There is also a Ratafia de Champagne.

At the top sits the "Spécial Club" cuvée. Joudart is a member of the Club Trésors de Champagne, whose Spécial Club bottling is subject to strict rules: a single vintage, only the grower's own grapes and at least three years on the lees. According to a Swedish merchant, the 2019 vintage was made with no dosage at all and partly aged in oak barrels. The merchant gives Chardonnay as the portion aged in barrel. Most recently, the website lists the 2018 and 2019 vintages.

Billy-le-Grand

Visits and tasting

The estate welcomes visitors by appointment. The tour shows the press, the cellar and the storage area, and ends with a guided tasting. Visits are possible only in the mornings and only by arrangement. French and English are spoken. To book, call +33 3 26 59 36 08 or go via www.champagne-joudart.fr. The address held in our database is an email address; the website is champagne-joudart.fr.