Champagne Fernand Lemaire

Champagne house in Hautvillers, Vallée de la Marne.

Village: Hautvillers (Premier Cru)
Region: Vallée de la Marne
Type of house: RM · Récoltant Manipulant
Founded: 1903
Cuvées in the guide: 9

History: The family business, based in the Premier Cru village of Hautvillers (known as the "cradle of Champagne"), began in 1903 when Fernand Lemaire produced his own champagne. His parents, Eugène and Angeline, had been growing vines since 1860, but Eugène was mainly the village blacksmith. Since 2022 the business has been run by the fourth generation, Hélène and Benoît Lemaire, who continue the traditions of their great-grandfather Fernand and the later generations.

Vineyards: The estate has 6 to 7 hectares of vineyard, classified as 1er Cru. The grape varieties are 42% Chardonnay, 38% Meunier and 20% Pinot Noir. The vineyards are worked sustainably, with ploughing to preserve soil structure and biodiversity, and are certified with the HVE label (Haute Valeur Environnementale).

Method: Fernand Lemaire is a récoltant-manipulant, which means the whole process from vineyard to bottling is in its own hands. The grapes are pressed in a traditional 2,000 kg vertical press from 1960. Vinification takes place in small casks and barrels, and ageing on the lees varies from 2 to 10 years in the traditional chalk cellars of Hautvillers. The riddling process (turning the bottles) is still done by hand.

Champagnes: The range consists exclusively of Premier Cru champagnes from Hautvillers. Important cuvées are:

Tradition Brut: A blend of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Meunier.
Blanc de Blancs: 100% Chardonnay, known for its freshness and minerality.
Rosé Cuvée 1903: A blend of 95% Chardonnay and 5% Pinot Noir (red wine), with aromas of red fruit.
Millesime: Vintage champagnes, such as the 2012 and 2015 (100% Chardonnay).
Myra Extra Brut: A dry, long-aged (up to 9 years) 100% Chardonnay.

Cuvées by Fernand Lemaire

Blanc de Blancs Brut 1er Cru

Blanc de Blancs · Brut

Fernand Lemaire Blanc de Blancs Brut

Blanc de Blancs · Brut · 2016 · Chardonnay

Aged seven years on lees.

Fernand Lemaire Cuvée 1903

Blanc de Blancs · Brut · 2016 · 100% Chardonnay

Oak-aged, limited to 600 bottles.

Fernand Lemaire Cuvée Caractère

Blend · Brut · 60% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir

Fernand Lemaire Grande Réserve Extra Brut

Blend · Extra Brut

Fernand Lemaire Millésime 2015

Blend · Extra Brut · 2015 · Chardonnay

Fernand Lemaire Tradition Brut

Blend · Brut

Fernand Lemaire Tradition Demi Sec

Blend · Demi-Sec

Fernand Lemaire Tradition Rosé Brut

Rosé · Brut · 2020 · 95% Chardonnay, 5% Pinot Noir

Mostly Chardonnay blended with red wine, aged 30 months.

Importers

Fernand Lemaire is imported by: Colaris.

Where it is sold

Shops and wholesalers carrying Fernand Lemaire: Colaris.

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