Chartogne-Taillet

The roots of Chartogne-Taillet stretch back to 1485, when Fiacre Taillet established the family's presence in Merfy. The Taillet family's wine-growing activities are documented from 1490, and the vineyards themselves have a far longer history, having been planted since Roman times and developed by the monks of the Abbey of Saint-Thierry in the 7th century. The Chartogne family arrived in the area in 1870, and the modern estate took shape in 1920 when Marie Chartogne married Étienne Taillet, uniting the two families. Today, the estate is managed by Alexandre Chartogne, who took the helm in 2006 at just 23 years old.

• Fiacre Taillet founded the estate in 1485; wine-growing documented from 1490
• Vineyards cultivated since Roman times and shaped by Abbey of Saint-Thierry monks from the 7th century
• Estate formally established in 1920 with the union of the Chartogne and Taillet families
• Alexandre Chartogne has led production since 2006, mentored by Anselme Selosse

Merfy sits in the Massif de Saint-Thierry sub-region of the Montagne de Reims, between 7 and 15 kilometers north of Reims. This is among the coolest parts of Champagne, with a cool continental climate. The soils across the 13 parcels are remarkably diverse, encompassing Thanetian sand, Campanian chalk, clay, limestone, tuffeau, and iron-rich sandstone. This mosaic of soil types gives Alexandre Chartogne the raw material to craft champagnes that express distinct terroir characters. The sandy soils in the Les Barres vineyard are particularly notable, as they protect the ungrafted Pinot Meunier vines from phylloxera.

• Located 7-15 km north of Reims in the Massif de Saint-Thierry, one of Champagne's coolest areas
• Soils include Thanetian sand, Campanian chalk, clay, limestone, tuffeau, and iron-rich sandstone
• 13 distinct vineyard parcels across 11-14 hectares farmed organically and biodynamically
• Sandy soils in Les Barres protect ungrafted Pinot Meunier vines from phylloxera

Chartogne-Taillet farms with organic and biodynamic principles, using no herbicides or pesticides and emphasizing detailed soil analysis to guide decisions in the vineyard. The estate grows Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier, and the rare historic variety Arbanne. Each of the 13 parcels is vinified separately, with winemaking vessels including 228-liter and 600-liter oak barrels, amphorae, and concrete eggs. This parcel-by-parcel approach allows Alexandre Chartogne to preserve the individual character of each site. Dosage levels are kept low throughout the range, between 2.75 and 6 grams per liter, reinforcing the terroir-forward style.

• Certified organic and biodynamic farming; no herbicides or pesticides used
• Grapes include Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier, and the rare Arbanne variety
• Each parcel vinified separately in oak barrels (228L and 600L), amphorae, and concrete eggs
• Low dosage across all cuvées: 2.75-6g/L

The Chartogne-Taillet range includes Extra Brut, Brut, Rosé, and Blanc de Blancs styles, with both single-vineyard and blended cuvées. The estate produces approximately 100,000 bottles annually. The house style is firmly terroir-driven, with the separate vinification of parcels and low dosage allowing the diversity of Merfy's soils to come through in the glass. The inclusion of Arbanne, a variety rarely found in modern Champagne, signals a deliberate connection to the region's historical grape heritage. Chartogne-Taillet is the only Récoltant-Manipulant in Merfy, making it a singular voice for this underrated corner of Champagne.

• Styles include Extra Brut, Brut, Rosé, and Blanc de Blancs, in single-vineyard and blended formats
• Around 100,000 bottles produced annually
• Arbanne, a historic Champagne variety, is included in the estate's grape portfolio
• The only Récoltant-Manipulant in the village of Merfy