Champagne Charlier & Fils

Champagne house in Montigny-sous-Châtillon, Vallée de la Marne.

Village: Montigny-sous-Châtillon
Region: Vallée de la Marne
Founded: 1892
Cuvées in the guide: 9

Champagne‌ Charlier & Fils is a family business in Montigny-sous-Châtillon (Vallée de la Marne), founded in 1892 by the cooper Armand Perrin and later expanded by the Charlier family. It is one of the last houses in Champagne to age 100% of its production in large oak vats, the so-called "Foudres de Chêne".

History and Approach The name refers to the merger of the Perrin and Charlier families; since 1992 the house has been run by Carole Charlier and Yves Perrin (fifth generation). The wine is vinified and aged exclusively in wooden casks (up to 11,000 litres), a rare practice that provides complexity and softness without the use of new wooden casks. The cellar contains 57 enormous, hand-carved casks.

Vineyards and Grapes The vineyards cover 15 hectares on two banks of the Marne, spread over seven villages including Montigny-sous-Châtillon, Châtillon-sur-Marne and Mareuil-le-Port. The soil consists of limestone (for finesse) and clay-limestone (for roundness). The grape varieties are:

Pinot Meunier: 69% (typical for the region)
Chardonnay: 20%
Pinot Noir: 11%

Champagnes and Disgorgement Styles The house offers a range of cuvées, including:

Carte Noire: Brut and Demi-Sec.
Rosé de Saignée Prestige: A highly regarded rosé.
Millésime Bacchus: A vintage cuvée.
Perle de Rosée and Perle on Ice: Sweeter variants.
Ratafia Champenois: Traditional liqueur.

Visitors can visit the site for tours and tastings, during which they can see the "foudrerie" and the tasting room. Contact details are available via the official website or by telephone on +33 (0)3 26 58 35 18.

Cuvées by Charlier & Fils

Charlier Carte Noire Brut

Blend · Brut · 60% Pinot Meunier, 20% Pinot Noir, 20% Chardonnay

The house's emblematic cuvée since 1962, balancing fruitiness and complexity.

Charlier Carte Noire Demi-Sec

Blend · Demi-Sec · 60% Pinot Meunier, 20% Pinot Noir, 20% Chardonnay

Floral and fruity with hints of candied fruit and brioche, designed for desserts.

Charlier Coup de Foudre Millésime

Blanc de Blancs · Extra Brut · 2018 · 100% Chardonnay

Chardonnay with white peach and lemon notes and a fine salinity.

Charlier Elixir de Montigny

Blanc de Noirs · Extra Brut · 2019 · 100% Pinot Noir

Blanc de noirs expressing the Montigny terroir, with minerality and spicy notes.

Charlier Millésime Bacchus

Blend · Brut · 2019 · 33.3% Pinot Meunier, 33.3% Pinot Noir, 33.3% Chardonnay

Single-year cuvée with complex aromas of ripe fruit and spices.

Charlier Perle de Rosée

Rosé · Demi-Sec · 60% Pinot Meunier, 40% Pinot Noir

Pale salmon rosé with honey and vine peach notes, suited to desserts.

Charlier Perle on Ice

Rosé · Demi-Sec · 80% Pinot Meunier, 20% Pinot Noir

Rosé recommended for serving over ice with red fruit.

Charlier Rosé de Saignée Prestige

Rosé · Brut · 80% Pinot Meunier, 20% Pinot Noir

Fresh rosé with candied fruit and wild strawberry aromas.

Charlier Spécial Club Millésime

Blend · Extra Brut · 2015 · 70% Chardonnay, 15% Pinot Meunier, 15% Pinot Noir

Vintage with mirabelle and plum fruit developing toasty and brioche aromas.

Importers

Charlier & Fils is imported by: En Deux, Tasty Sparkling.

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