Champagne Éric Rodez
Key French Terms
An eighth-generation grower-producer in Ambonnay Grand Cru, crafting terroir-driven Champagnes through biodynamic farming and meticulous oak aging.
Champagne Éric Rodez is a Récoltant-Manipulant estate in Ambonnay Grand Cru with winemaking roots stretching back to 1757. Eric Rodez trained at Krug before taking over in 1984, and the estate farms organically and biodynamically. Around 45,000 bottles are produced annually from 35 vineyard plots.
- Récoltant-Manipulant (Grower-Producer) classified Grand Cru, based in Ambonnay on the Montagne de Reims
- Family winemaking lineage dates to 1757; Eric Rodez is the eighth generation
- 35 individual plots in Grand Cru Ambonnay, all farmed organically and biodynamically
- 70-80% of wines fermented and aged in small oak barrels
- Reserve wines span 5 to 10 vintages, supporting the estate's multi-vintage blending
- First French agricultural domaine to receive Haute Valeur Environmentale certification, awarded in 2012
- Uses light dosages with RCGM rather than sugar, and selectively blocks malolactic fermentation
Estate & History
Champagne Éric Rodez is a family-owned grower-producer estate in Ambonnay, one of Champagne's Grand Cru villages on the Montagne de Reims. The family's winemaking history traces back to 1757, and Eric Rodez represents the eighth generation to steward the domaine. After training at Krug, he assumed management of the estate in 1984. Those formative experiences shaped the philosophy that defines Rodez's wines today.
- Based in Ambonnay Grand Cru, Montagne de Reims
- Family winemaking heritage dating to 1757
- Trained at Krug; took over estate management in 1984
- Eric Rodez served as Mayor of Ambonnay from 2008 to 2014
Viticulture & Terroir
The estate is divided across 35 individual vineyard plots, all farmed organically and biodynamically. The estate became the first French agricultural domaine to earn Haute Valeur Environmentale certification in 2012. Vineyard treatments include aromatherapy and essential oils, reflecting a holistic, nature-driven approach to viticulture.
- 35 individual plots in Grand Cru Ambonnay
- Holdings are entirely Grand Cru Ambonnay on the Montagne de Reims
- Organic and biodynamic farming; HVE certification in 2012 as first French agricultural domaine
- Both Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are grown across the Grand Cru Ambonnay holdings
Winemaking Philosophy
Eric Rodez favors a hands-on, interventionist approach that nonetheless serves terroir expression above all. Between 70 and 80 percent of the wines undergo fermentation and aging in small oak barrels, lending texture and complexity without overwhelming the fruit. Malolactic fermentation is selectively blocked in certain cuvées to preserve acidity and enhance aging potential. Blending is central to the style: final cuvées incorporate 5 to 10 different vintages, and reserve wines span 5 to 10 vintages. Dosage is kept low, with RCGM used in place of sugar.
- 70-80% of wines fermented and aged in small oak barrels
- Blends 5-10 vintages in final cuvées; reserve wines span 5-10 vintages
- Malolactic fermentation selectively blocked to enhance acidity and aging potential
- Light dosage using RCGM rather than sugar
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Get the DeckKey Cuvées
The estate produces approximately 45,000 bottles per year across a focused range of cuvées. Notable releases include the Cuvée des Crayères, a reference point for the house style; the Blanc de Blancs, showcasing the Chardonnay component of the estate; the Blanc de Noirs, expressing the depth of Ambonnay Pinot Noir; and the Cuvée des Grands Vintages, which draws on the estate's deep reserves of aged wine. Each cuvée reflects the multi-vintage blending approach and the commitment to oak-influenced complexity.
- Cuvée des Crayères: signature multi-vintage blend
- Blanc de Blancs: pure Chardonnay expression from Grand Cru fruit
- Blanc de Noirs: showcases Ambonnay Pinot Noir
- Cuvée des Grands Vintages: draws on deep, aged reserve wines
Complex, structured Champagnes with notable oak influence, brioche and toasty notes alongside orchard fruit, citrus zest, and chalky minerality from the clay-limestone soils of Ambonnay. Elevated acidity from selective blocking of malolactic fermentation gives wines a focused, linear backbone suited to aging.
- Éric Rodez Cuvée des Crayères Brut$45-60The house's signature multi-vintage blend; showcases oak aging and Ambonnay Grand Cru terroir in one bottle.Find →
- Éric Rodez Blanc de Noirs Brut$55-70100% Ambonnay Pinot Noir; demonstrates the depth and structure of the estate's dominant grape variety.Find →
- Éric Rodez Blanc de Blancs Brut$65-80Pure Chardonnay from Grand Cru fruit; showcases citrus precision alongside the house's signature oak texture.Find →
- Éric Rodez Cuvée des Grands Vintages$80-110Draws on the estate's deepest reserves across multiple vintages for exceptional complexity and aging potential.Find →
- Classified Récoltant-Manipulant (RM), meaning Rodez grows his own grapes and makes his own wine, a defining feature of grower Champagne
- Ambonnay is a Grand Cru village (100% on the échelle des crus) on the Montagne de Reims, known for Pinot Noir dominance
- Estate became the first French agricultural domaine to receive Haute Valeur Environmentale (HVE) certification in 2012
- Multi-vintage blending with reserves spanning 5-10 vintages distinguishes the house style from vintage-focused producers
- Selective blocking of malolactic fermentation retains higher malic acid levels, increasing freshness and aging potential