Yannick Prevoteau

Yannick Prévoteau is a family estate in Damery. The village lies on the right bank of the Marne Valley, ten minutes from Épernay. The family has been growing grapes for five generations. The story as a champagne house began with the generation of Yannick's father. According to Gault&Millau this happened in 1969, and the brand carries the name of his newborn son at the time. The Guide Hachette, by contrast, gives the year 1970 and 7 ares of vines for the first champagnes.

Vineyards and approach

The estate farms just over 10 hectares in more than 63 plots. They are spread across nine villages, including Damery, Fleury-la-Rivière, Venteuil, Œuilly, Aÿ (Grand Cru), Pierry (Premier Cru) and Vitry-en-Perthois. The grapes grown are Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. The house vinifies plot by plot to bring out the identity of each terroir. It also avoids malolactic fermentation, so that the wines stay fresh. The estate is certified "Viticulture Durable en Champagne" and "Haute Valeur Environnementale". Dosage and ageing vary from cuvée to cuvée. The range runs from zero grams of sugar per litre to 8 to 9 grams.

The cuvées

The "Les Classiques" range includes:

“According to Gault&Millau this happened in 1969, and the brand carries the name of his newborn son at the time.

• Héritage Brut: the historic blend of the house, 35% Pinot Noir, 35% Meunier and 30% Chardonnay, of which 40% reserve wine, dosage 8 to 9 g/l.
• Amandine: 100% Chardonnay from the Vitryat and the Marne Valley, Extra Brut at 3.8 g/l.
• Marius: a Brut Nature with no dosage, based on the classic three-grape blend.
• Rosé Brut: based on the Héritage, with 10 to 12% red wine from old Pinot Noir vines in Damery.
• La Perle des Treilles: named after the "Les Treilles" site, the home of the house.

There are also special lines. "Les Confidentiels" are cuvées made in very small quantities. These include Alter Ego, a Premier Cru Extra Brut blanc de noirs made from 100% Meunier from the Les Hauts Bordets plot in Pierry. Another blanc de noirs is a Grand Cru Extra Brut from Aÿ, also 100% Pinot Noir. For the Solera Intemporelle Extra-Brut, JamesSuckling.com awarded 94 points.

Nase Champagner

Visits and tasting

The estate is a Récoltant-Manipulant. Everything from pressing to marketing happens on site. The tour lasts 40 minutes on average and is offered in French and English. Afterwards, three cuvées are tasted, including the Carte Or Brut. The estate is open Monday to Saturday from 9am to 12pm and from 2pm to 5.30pm. Booking in advance is recommended. You can find the house at 4 bis, Avenue de Champagne, 51480 Damery.