Champagne Ghislain Payer et Fille

Champagne house in Fleury-la-Rivière, Vallée de la Marne.

Village: Fleury-la-Rivière
Region: Vallée de la Marne
Cuvées in the guide: 8

Champagne‌ Ghislain Payer et Fille is an independent producer in Fleury-la-Rivière (Marne Valley), run by Ghislain, Murielle and their daughter Elise Payer as the sixth generation. The vines are grown on 4 hectares of chalky soils with fossils, which gives the champagnes their characteristic minerality.

History and Tradition

The Payer family began in 1854 in Romery, while the Lecourt-Barbez family had been growing wine for generations in Fleury-la-Rivière. In 1962 the Payers were one of the 24 founding members of the regional cooperative, but they remain fully independent today. Elise Payer has led the estate for two years, building on the passion for authentic and refined champagnes.

Vineyards and Method

The 4 hectares of vineyards are divided over about twenty plots, with a balanced split of 45% Chardonnay, 45% Pinot Meunier and 10% Pinot Noir. The grapes are harvested by hand and viticulture follows sustainable practices with limited use of crop protection products. In the cellar long ageing on the lees takes place, often 3 to 10 years, which is much longer than legally required. The champagnes are disgorged by hand to guarantee quality and authenticity.

Range of Champagnes

The estate produces various cuvées, from accessible to prestigious:

Brut Tradition: Authentic with notes of orange, lemon, fig and hazelnuts.
Blanc de Blancs: 100% Chardonnay with delicate floral and citrus aromas, plus peach and menthol.
Demi-Sec Tradition: Sweeter style with aromas of red fruit and fig compote.
Rosé: Soft in colour but powerful and expressive in aroma.
Brut Nature / Nature: Unsweetened, with pure fruit and terroir expression.
Millésime: Vintage champagnes (e.g. 2018) with complex aromas of brioche and citrus.
Ratafia Rubis: A rare liqueur made from must and Fine de la Marne, aged in oak barrels.

In addition to champagne, the house also produces a house red wine from old vines, aged in oak barrels for a fruity and gourmet taste.

Cuvées by Ghislain Payer et Fille

Brut

Ghislain Payer Blanc de Blancs

Blanc de Blancs · Brut · 100% Chardonnay

Non-vintage blanc de blancs.

Ghislain Payer Brut Réserve

Blend · Brut · 50% Meunier, 35% Chardonnay, 15% Pinot Noir

Non-vintage reserve blend.

Ghislain Payer Brut Tradition

Blend · Brut · 67% Meunier, 17% Chardonnay, 16% Pinot Noir

Meunier-led non-vintage brut.

Ghislain Payer Demi-Sec Tradition

Blend · Demi-Sec · 67% Meunier, 17% Chardonnay, 16% Pinot Noir

Demi-sec version of the Tradition blend.

Ghislain Payer Millésime 2018

Blend · Brut · 2018 · 50% Chardonnay, 28% Pinot Noir, 22% Meunier

Chardonnay-led 2018 vintage.

Ghislain Payer Nature

Blend · Brut Nature · 58% Meunier, 36% Chardonnay, 6% Pinot Noir

Low-dosage nature cuvée.

Ghislain Payer Rosé

Rosé · Brut · 67% Meunier, 17% Chardonnay, 16% Pinot Noir

Meunier-led rosé.

Importers

Ghislain Payer et Fille is imported by: Monsieur Champagne.

Where it is sold

Shops and wholesalers carrying Ghislain Payer et Fille: Monsieur Champagne.

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