Champagne Palmer & Co

Champagne house in Reims, Montagne de Reims.

Village

Reims

Region

Montagne de Reims

Cuvées in the guide

15

Champagne​‌​ Palmer & Co is a premium champagne house based in Reims, founded in 1947 by seven winegrowers and officially established in Reims since 1959. The house style is dominated by the freshness and purity of Chardonnay, complemented by the power of Pinot Noir and the generosity of Pinot Meunier.

History and Structure

• Originally founded in Avize by seven owners of Premier and Grand Cru vineyards.
• The brand name Palmer & Co was launched in 1948; the name refers to the Palmer family who were involved in the founding at the time.
• It is a cooperative structure working with approximately 320 members (some sources mention 350 suppliers) and delivers more than 1 million bottles a year.
• In 2023 the house was recognised as a "société à mission", which officially enshrines its sustainable and social responsibility in its statutes.

Vineyards and Terroir

• It itself owns more than 200 hectares of vineyard, classified Grand and Premier Cru in the Montagne de Reims region.
• In total the house draws on suppliers across more than 4,000 hectares of vineyards spread over the Montagne de Reims, Côte des Blancs, Côte de Sézanne and Côte des Bars.
• The vineyards are largely certified for sustainability, with more than 80% having labels such as HVE (High Environmental Level) or VDC (Declaration of Modified Cultivation), and a conversion to organic viticulture that has been under way since 2016.
• The grape varieties are 72% Pinot Noir and 28% Pinot Meunier for the red grapes, and 100% Chardonnay for the white, with an average vine age of 30 years.

Approach and Cellar Master

• The cellar master is Xavier Berdin, who is known for his focus on the integrity of the grape and respect for time.
• Palmer & Co uses longer ageing times than legally required: non-vintage champagnes are aged for at least 4 years (the law requires 15 months) and vintage champagnes 5 to 8 years.
• A distinguishing feature is the use of reserve wines in solera systems and the production in monumental 15-litre Nebuchadnezzar bottles.
• The house is active in agro-ecological practices and aims for a minimal ecological footprint through soil improvement and controlled protection of the vineyards.

Champagnes and Range

• The core products are the Brut Réserve and the Cuvée Amazone (a prestigious, oval bottle), known for their excellent value for money.
• Other important cuvées are the Blanc de Blancs, La Réserve Nature, Rosé Solera and La Réserve Demi-Sec.
• The style is described as elegant, complex and fresh, with a strong emphasis on precision and harmony thanks to the long ageing and the quality of the Grand Cru terroirs.
• The house also offers visits and gastronomic experiences at its location at 67 rue Jacquart, 51100 Reims.

Cuvées by Palmer & Co

Where it is sold

Shops and wholesalers carrying Palmer & Co: Arentz Wijnen (Wijnhandel Marcel Arentz), Barts Wijnkoperij, Bottle Hero, L'Atelier du Champagne, Perfecte Wijn B.V..

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