Champagne Gremillet

Champagne house in Balnot-sur-Laignes, Côte des Bar.

Village: Balnot-sur-Laignes
Region: Côte des Bar
Cuvées in the guide: 11

Champagne‌ Gremillet is a family business based in Balnot-sur-Laignes (Aube, Côte des Bar), founded in 1979 by Jean-Michel Gremillet, who led the house until his death. The business is now carried by his children Anne and Jean-Christophe Gremillet, who have grown the business to a production of 500,000 bottles a year with a strong focus on export, including diplomatic missions worldwide.

Vineyards and Terroir

The vineyards cover 40 to 48 hectares (sources vary) and lie on argilo-calcareous soil in the Côte des Bar. The plantings consist of 85% Pinot Noir, the dominant grape for structure and fruitiness, and the rest Chardonnay, coming from top areas such as Cramant (Grand Cru). A unique feature is the Clos Rocher, a 1.40-hectare, walled enclosure of exclusively Pinot Noir, named after an ancestor.

Method

Gremillet uses long ageing that is often longer than the legal standard: the champagnes rest for at least 22 months on the lees, and up to 5 years for the millésimes. The winemakers emphasise freshness and elegance by using only wine from the first pressing. The harvest and vinification are carried out by hand, and the bottle is only brought to market after careful disgorgement.

Champagnes and Collection

The range is divided into several lines, from accessible classics to premium cuvées:

Les Classiques: E.g. Sélection (70% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay) and Brut Rosé.
Les Purs: Single-variety champagnes such as Blanc de Blancs (100% Chardonnay), Blanc de Noirs (100% Pinot Noir) and Zéro Dosage (Brut Nature).
Les Uniques: Premium cuvées such as the Cuvée Évidence (100% Chardonnay, partly on oak) and the Millésime (e.g. 2009 or 2016, 100% Pinot Noir).
Le Clos Rocher: The most prestigious cuvée, coming from the enclosed vineyard, with ageing of at least 5 years.
Specialities: In addition to Champagne, the house also produces Rosé des Riceys, Coteaux Champenois and Ratafia Champenois.

Visitors can visit the cellar, including the Arboretum with 82 trees, each representing an export country, and conclude tastings with a selection of the house champagnes.

Cuvées by Gremillet

Gremillet Blanc de Blancs

Blanc de Blancs · Brut · 100% Chardonnay

Blanc de blancs from the Les Purs range.

Gremillet Blanc de Noirs

Blanc de Noirs · Brut · 100% Pinot Noir

Blanc de noirs from the Les Purs range.

Gremillet Brut Ambassadeur

Blend · Brut

Brut Ambassadeur from the Les Ambassadeurs range.

Gremillet Brut Cuvée Évidence

Blend · Brut

Brut Cuvée Évidence from the Les Uniques range.

Gremillet Brut Gold Edition

Blend · Brut

Brut special edition.

Gremillet Brut Millésimé 2017

Blend · Brut · 2017

Brut vintage cuvée from the Les Uniques range.

Gremillet Brut Rosé

Rosé · Brut

Brut rosé from the Les Ambassadeurs range.

Gremillet Extra Brut Rosé Vrai

Rosé · Extra Brut

Extra brut rosé from the Les Uniques range.

Gremillet Forget Me Not

Blend · Brut

Organic cuvée from the Biologique range.

Gremillet Le Clos Rocher

Blend

Le Clos Rocher cuvée from the Gremillet collection.

Gremillet Zéro Dosage

Blend · Brut Nature

Zero dosage cuvée from the Les Purs range.

All producers in the interactive guide · All Champagne houses