Champagne Monial

Champagne house in Colombé-le-Sec, Côte des Bar.

Village: Colombé-le-Sec
Region: Côte des Bar
Cuvées in the guide: 7

Champagne‌ Monial is a family business in Colombé-le-Sec (Aube), run by the Calon-Egger family, active since 2008 (founded by Emmanuel and Agnès Calon). The house is located in Le Cellier aux Moines, a historic cellar built in the 12th century by the Cistercian monks of the Abbey of Clairvaux, who were already growing grapes here in 1194. The 600 m² cellar is unique in Champagne and has been classified as a Historic Monument since 1919.

Vineyards and Terroir

The vineyard lies on the Côte des Bar with typical clay-limestone soil. The grape varieties are distributed as follows:

2/3 Pinot Noir
1/3 Chardonnay

The estate produces both conventional and organic champagnes (certification Agriculture Biologique / AB).

Approach and Characteristics

Production respects the historical traditions of the abbey, notably through the use of the Oculi (openings in the vault) through which the juice was formerly discharged directly into the cellars. The champagnes age in the historic vaults, where they mature on the lees before being riddled (remuage) by hand on pupitres. The style of the champagnes is characterised by finesse, freshness and character, with a strong focus on Brut Nature expressions.

Champagnes and Cuvées

The range includes various cuvées, including:

Communio (Brut, 90% Pinot Noir, 10% Chardonnay)
Libera Me (Brut Nature, available as Blanc de Noirs (100% PN) or with 20% Chardonnay)
Lux Aeterna (Blanc de Blancs Brut Nature with 100% Chardonnay, and a Rosé version)
Sylves (Brut, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, partly aged in barrels)
Terra Æterna (born from the switch to biodynamic/organic viticulture, 98% Pinot Noir)
Rouge Cardinal (Coteaux Champenois red, 100% Pinot Noir)

Visitors can visit the cellar and the chapel with stained-glass windows; tours and tastings are available, often free of charge or by appointment. The family also offers a self-catering cottage for a longer stay.

Cuvées by Monial

Monial Cuvée Communio

Brut · 90% Pinot Noir, 10% Chardonnay

Lightly dosed cuvée, ideal as an aperitif.

Monial Cuvée Sylves

Brut · Chardonnay and Pinot Noir

Partly oak-aged blend suited for meals.

Monial Libera Me Blanc de Noirs Brut

Blanc de Noirs · Brut · 100% Pinot Noir

Refreshing, thirst-quenching blanc de noirs.

Monial Libera Me Brut Nature

Brut Nature · 80% Pinot Noir, 20% Chardonnay

Dosage below 3 g/l, suited for gourmet moments.

Monial Libera Me Millésime 2012

2012

Vintage mainly Pinot Noir, disgorged February 2021, with refined pastry notes.

Monial Lux Aeterna Blanc de Blancs

Blanc de Blancs · Brut Nature · 100% Chardonnay

Brut Nature blanc de blancs.

Monial Lux Aeterna Rosé Brut

Rosé · Brut

Mainly Pinot Noir with light red fruit notes and fine bubbles.

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