Vallée de la Marne

Eric Taillet

“The relationship between the soil and its vintage, the main axis of my philosophy today. Trying to transmit the energy of the soil to a consumer through bubbles. My passion for soils leads to fundamentally modifying the cultivation methods of the vine (pruning system, row spacing, height of the vine, soil cultivation method, etc.).”

“Meunier” the king grape variety of Champagne… My life, my passion, my reason for being a winemaker. Emblematic grape variety of the Taillet estate, only in very old vines on living clay soils and limestone, flint, marl and clay subsoils. For me, Meunier is fruit, finesse, length in the mouth and an extraordinary aromatic palette.

HISTORY

Nestled in the heart of the Marne Valley, the Taillet house marketed its first bottles in 1961. Today managed by Eric Taillet, the 4th generation, it asserts itself more than ever in its philosophy of working the vines while respecting the environment and in harmony with nature.

From now on, for Eric Taillet, creator of emotions in Champagne, only one priority: exceptional harvests for an exceptional champagne. A perfectionist, who wishes to preserve in each of his champagnes, a typicity and a style that can be recognized at the first sip.

VINEYARD MANAGEMENT

For several years, the vineyard has been cultivated without weedkillers or fertilizers. “We are looking for a culture on living soil, and through a contribution of organic matter, to encourage the development of microbial life, deep secondary rooting (revealing the terroir) and water reserves.”

HVE and VDC certified

We plow, pass the plows, mow close to the ground. We also do a lot of experimentation:

  • 80 ares of vines have been woven and we wish to extend this system.
  • Planting Pinot Gris and Petit Meslier for a very specific purpose.
  • Planting of 600 common beeches; with the aim of attracting birds, bees, insects in order to create biodiversity.

VINIFICATION

“Installed in 1970, we use a traditional wooden press. In terms of containers, we have oak barrels (400, 500, 600 L) – and stainless steel vats between 10 HL and 25 HL, to produce a lot of plots.

​After the harvest, the juices are left to rest, nothing is touched. The goal is to create a reduction to counteract oxidation and preserve the fruit.

​We do not filter or cold-press. The reserve wines are kept on fine lees in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats. We practice reasoned vinification, with the aim of letting the wines express themselves on their own, without brutality or excessive interventions.”

​¼ of the production is raised on technological cork, the rest in capsule.

Info

  • Terroir: Marne Valley
  • Domain management: Eric Taillet
  • Grape varieties: 79% Meunier, 11% Pinot Noir, 9% Chardonnay, 1% Pinot Gris, Arbane, Petit Meslier
  • Surface : 5.75 hectares

On the table

  • The Chalk Pits, by Christophe Moret (Reims)
  • Substance, by Matthias Marc (Paris 16)
  • The Brickyard (Vinay)
Champagne Eric Taillet