Champagne Veuve Doussot

Champagne house in Noé-les-Mallets, Côte des Bar.

Village: Noé-les-Mallets
Region: Côte des Bar
Founded: 1746
Cuvées in the guide: 13

Champagne‌ Veuve Doussot is a family business in Noé-les-Mallets (Côte des Bars, Aube), where winegrowers have been active since 1746. The current house was founded in 1973 by Georges Joly and is named after his mother-in-law Ernestine Doussot. Today the business is run by Stéphane Joly, who continues the tradition of quality and sustainability.

Vineyards and Terroir

The estate covers 21 hectares in the heart of the Côte des Bar, on the chalky plateaus of Noé-les-Mallets. The soil consists of Kimméridgien limestone and clay, ideal for the two main grape varieties:

Pinot Noir (80%): Provides structure and power.
Chardonnay (20%): Adds freshness and floral notes.

The vines are grown according to principles of biodynamic/sustainable viticulture (viticulture raisonnée) to preserve soil quality for future generations.

Working Methods and Vinification

Veuve Doussot takes an artisanal approach with attention to detail:

Harvest: Hand harvesting to safeguard the integrity of the grapes.
Pressing: Use of a traditional vertical press with a fixed bed.
Fermentation: Vinification in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, and for some cuvées in oak barrels for complexity.
Champagnisation: Traditional method with malolactic fermentation for softer acids.
Riddling: Combination of mechanical (gyropalette) and manual riddling on wooden pupitres.
Disgorgement: Freezing of the deposit in the bottle neck at -20°C to -25°C for a clean removal.

Champagnes and Experiences

The range focuses on elegance and terroir expression, with a production of approximately 200,000 bottles per year. Some well-known cuvées are:

Grande Cuvée: The house style, often a blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
Cuvée L: A Blanc de Blancs (100% Chardonnay) in Brut Nature style.
Memory: Vintage champagnes that capture the specific characteristics of the harvest year.

Besides champagne, the estate offers visitor experiences such as organised cellar visits, tastings and harvest activities. Visitors can also stay overnight in the associated gîtes (such as Gîte Chez L, L'Atelier and Chez Loup) in the middle of the vineyard, and the estate organises private events and seminars.

Contact details:

Address: 1 rue de Chatet, 10360 Noé-les-Mallets, France
Telephone: +33 (0)3 25 29 60 61
Website: champagneveuvedoussot.com
Opening hours: By appointment (Mon-Fri 9:00-12:00 & 14:00-17:00, Sat 9:30-12:30).