Champagne De Saint-Gall
Champagne house in Avize, Côte des Blancs.
- Village
- Avize (Grand Cru)
- Region
- Côte des Blancs
- Cuvées in the guide
- 9
Champagne De Saint-Gall is a prestigious champagne house based in Avize, founded in 1966 through the cooperation of sixteen cooperatives (originally six, now expanded) of winegrowers under the name Union Champagne. The house is known for its expertise in Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, with a focus on the most prestigious terroirs of Champagne.
History and Structure
- Foundation: De Saint-Gall arose in 1966 from the will of winegrowers to join forces.
- Cooperative model: It is a "cooperative of cooperatives" that today comprises more than 2,300 members and 15 cellars.
- Scale: The house is not a member of the Union des Maisons de Champagne, but operates as an independent, collective entity.
- Leadership: The wine style is determined by cellar master Cédric Jacopin, who has been responsible for the blends since the 1990s.
Vineyards and Terroir
- Area: The winegrowers manage approximately 1,200 to 1,400 hectares of vineyards.
- Classification: 90% of the vineyards are classified Grand Cru or Premier Cru. Two thirds are Grand Cru, one third Premier Cru.
- Locations: The vineyards are spread over 12-13 communes in Champagne, notably in the Côte des Blancs (Avize, Cramant, Oger, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger), the Montagne de Reims (Ambonnay, Bouzy, Aÿ) and a few Premier Cru areas such as Vertus and Cumières.
- Grape varieties: Chardonnay dominates with approximately 70-80% of the area; Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier make up the remaining ~20%.
Approach
- Separate vinification: To preserve the specific characteristics of each terroir, the individual cooperatives vinify their own grapes separately in their respective cellars.
- Blending: Only then are the wines brought to the central facilities in Avize, where cellar master Cédric Jacopin blends them into the final cuvées.
- Technology: The production facilities in Avize, renovated and expanded in 2013, combine modern technology (such as large wooden vats for reserve wines) with traditional craft.
- Ageing: The champagnes age for at least 2 to 3 years on the yeast (sur lie), with prestige cuvées ageing longer.
Champagnes and Cuvées
De Saint-Gall produces about ten different cuvées, with a strong emphasis on Blanc de Blancs (100% Chardonnay).
- Cuvée Orpale: The prestigious Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs cuvée, made from Chardonnay from Avize, Cramant, Oger and Le Mesnil-sur-Oger. Known for its elegance and keeping qualities.
- Le Tradition: The Premier Cru Brut, a balance between Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, the house's calling card for everyday enjoyment.
- Le Blanc de Blancs: A Grand Cru or Premier Cru variant (depending on the vintage/category), pure Chardonnay.
- So Dark: A unique Grand Cru cuvée, often a Blanc de Noirs (80% Pinot Noir, 20% Chardonnay) or a dark rosé style, known for its intensity.
- Rosé: A Premier Cru rosé, made by adding still red wine from Champagne to a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier/Pinot Noir.
Cuvées by De Saint-Gall
De Saint-Gall Blanc de Blancs
De Saint-Gall Le Blanc de Bio
De Saint-Gall Le Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Extra-Brut
Grand Cru blanc de blancs extra brut.
De Saint-Gall Le Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Millésimé
Vintage 2019 Grand Cru blanc de blancs.
De Saint-Gall Le Blanc de Blancs Premier Cru
Blanc de blancs Premier Cru.
De Saint-Gall Le Tradition Premier Cru
De Saint-Gall Orpale 1998
De Saint-Gall Orpale Vintage
De Saint-Gall Rosé Premier Cru
Importers
De Saint-Gall is imported by: Gall & Gall.
Where it is sold
Shops and wholesalers carrying De Saint-Gall: Christian Winecellars, Gall & Gall.
All producers in the interactive guide · All Champagne houses