Champagne Jean Milan
Champagne house in Oger, Côte des Blancs.
- Village
- Oger (Grand Cru)
- Region
- Côte des Blancs
- Founded
- 1864
- Cuvées in the guide
- 9
Champagne Jean Milan is a traditional champagne house based in Oger, a Grand Cru village in the Côte des Blancs, founded in 1864 by Charles Milan. The house is run today by the fifth generation, Jean-Charles Milan (cellar) and Caroline Milan (commercial), who took over the business in 2007, with Jean-Charles taking full charge in 2015. The family is known for its passion for tradition and has more than 160 years of experience in champagne production.
Vineyards and Terroir
The estate has its own 6-hectare vineyard (some sources mention 5 ha), located entirely in the Grand Cru of Oger. The vineyards are 100% planted with Chardonnay, the only grape variety used. The terroir consists of chalk soil (Campanian), which contributes to the freshness, elegance and long keeping quality of the wines. The family has recently changed its status from Récoltant-Manipulant (RM) to Négociant-Manipulant (NM) in order to expand production with other Grand Crus of Oger.
Winemaking
The champagne is produced with respect for traditional methods:
- Pressing: Use of a rare, traditional square wooden press (4000 kg), which still also works for houses such as Pol Roger.
- Vinification: Most wines are vinified in stainless steel tanks for elegance. For specific cuvées (such as the Grande Réserve) oak barrels are used for body and complexity.
- Disgorgement: The house traditionally removes the sediment by hand (à la volée), without using the modern freezing technique.
- Production: The annual volume is about 130,000 bottles.
Champagnes
The portfolio consists mainly of Blanc de Blancs (100% Chardonnay), with a few exceptions:
- Extra-Brut Blanc de Blancs: The entry-level, fresh and lemony.
- Brut Spécial / Brut: Classic non-vintage blends.
- Grande Réserve Blanc de Blancs: Fermented and aged in oak barrels.
- Symphorine (Millésimé): A vintage from four specific plots (Zailleux, Beaudure, Barbettes, Chenêts).
- Terres de Noël: Made from old vines (up to 70 years old).
- Rosé: A rare rosé made by vinifying 10% Pinot Noir as red wine and then blending it with Chardonnay wines.
Visitors can visit the cellars, the wine museum and the traditional presses by appointment, with a maximum group size of 12 people.
Cuvées by Jean Milan
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