Champagne Faniel & Fils
Champagne house in Cormoyeux, Vallée de la Marne.
- Village
- Cormoyeux
- Region
- Vallée de la Marne
- Type of house
- RM · Récoltant Manipulant
- Cuvées in the guide
- 8
Champagne Faniel & Fils is an independent family business based in Cormoyeux (Marne), located in a former monastery/presbytery from 1673 with vaulted cellars. The estate currently has 9 hectares of vineyards and produces 10 different champagnes plus Ratafia de Champagne, with a focus on sustainable viticulture and harmony with nature.
History
- The origins lie with André Faniel, who began his passion for the vine after the Second World War.
- His three sons took over the business and expanded the vineyard to 8 hectares.
- Jacques Faniel gave new impetus and in 1992 launched a prestige cuvée in honour of his father.
- Since 2008 the estate has also been supported by the third generation, Mathieu Faniel, who studied viticulture and oenology.
Vineyards and Method
- The vineyards lie on the Route Touristique du Champagne in the Vallée du Brunet, on a south-facing slope with clay-limestone soil.
- The estate practises sustainable farming, with enherbement (grass cover between the rows) central to stimulating soil life and avoiding herbicides.
- As a récoltant-manipulant they vinify exclusively their own grapes in large casks in the historic cellars.
- The assemblage combines base wine with reserve wines from earlier years to create the specific style of each cuvée.
- The second fermentation and ageing take place in the underground, lightless cellars of the presbytery.
Champagnes and Cuvées
The range includes various styles, including:
- Agapane Brut
- Agapane Demi-Sec
- Oriane
- Perlane Rosé Brut (with notes of white flesh and fresh red berries)
- Nature Appogia
- Les Secrets d'André (a prestige cuvée, including from 2011)
- Ratafia de Champagne
Visitors can take a tour and tasting by appointment (max. 30 people, approx. 120 minutes), with opening hours generally from 09:00 to 18:00.
Cuvées by Faniel & Fils
Faniel Agapane Brut
Soft attack with candied fruit and mirabelle notes.
Faniel Agapane Demi-Sec
Sweeter version of the Agapane line.
Faniel Appogia
Flagship cuvée, pale gold with citrus and a creamy finish.
Faniel Brut Nature
Undosed champagne in a transparent bottle, mineral with fresh aromatics.
Faniel Les Secrets d'André 2011
Oak-aged tribute to the founder with tropical fruit notes.
Faniel Les Secrets d'André 2011 BDB
Limited edition blanc de blancs tied with hand-tied hemp cord.
Faniel Oriane
Luminous, Chardonnay-dominant wine with apple, bergamot and apricot aromas.
Faniel Perlane Rosé
Rosé with red fruit and confectionery character.
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