Passy-sur-Marne Champagne with Chardonnay, Meunier and Pinot Noir, including BLCK Blanc de Noirs and Novatio.
The producer
Champagne Alain Mercier is a Récoltant Manipulant house in Passy-sur-Marne, in the Vallée de la Marne. It works Chardonnay, Meunier and Pinot Noir through traditional methods inherited from earlier generations. The range includes Duramen Brut, Novatio and BLCK. Duramen combines Chardonnay and Meunier, BLCK uses Pinot Noir for a Blanc de Noirs, and Novatio combines Meunier and Pinot Noir. The bottles differ in grape composition, with BLCK ageing on the bottle and Novatio ageing on lees.
Known for
Traditional method Champagne from three grapes
Notable facts
The vineyard composition is 35% Chardonnay, 35% Meunier and 30% Pinot Noir.
The house belongs to Vignerons Indépendants de Champagne.
One Novatio release was produced in 2,000 bottles.
The story
Four Generations, New Cuvée Names
Since 1910, four generations of the Mercier family have managed the same estate, nine hectares in size: Émile, Lucien, Alain and, since 2010, Romain. The cuvée names take a different path. Duramen, BLCK and Novatio use concept words instead of place or family references, marking a deliberate visual and commercial departure from Vallée de la Marne tradition. The family operation and the newer naming system now stand together in the range. The cuvée list also includes Sagacité, Simplexité, Holo and Neon.
From the atlas
Champagne Alain Mercier
Passy-sur-Marne Champagne made from Chardonnay, Meunier and Pinot Noir, with traditional methods and cuvées built from different grape combinations.
At A Glance
Field
Detail
Location
Passy-sur-Marne, Vallée de la Marne
Producer type
Récoltant Manipulant house
Grape varieties
Chardonnay, Meunier, Pinot Noir
Named cuvées
Duramen Brut, Novatio, BLCK
House method
Traditional methods inherited from earlier generations
The Producer
Champagne Alain Mercier is a Récoltant Manipulant house in Passy-sur-Marne and a member of Vignerons Indépendants de Champagne. A Récoltant Manipulant makes Champagne from its own vineyard holdings. The house follows traditional methods inherited from earlier generations. In the traditional method, the second fermentation takes place in the bottle, creating the mousse, while lees ageing can add texture and savoury notes.
Its range includes BLCK, Duramen and Novatio, each built around a different combination of Chardonnay, Meunier and Pinot Noir.
Place
Passy-sur-Marne lies in the Vallée de la Marne, an hour from Paris. The vineyard composition includes Chardonnay, Meunier and Pinot Noir. Duramen, BLCK and Novatio separate those varieties into different combinations. Grape variety changes aroma, body and acidity, so each composition alters the wine before cellar ageing begins.
Wines
The range includes Duramen Brut, Novatio and BLCK. Duramen is composed of 80% Chardonnay and 20% Meunier. BLCK is a Blanc de Noirs made from 100% Pinot Noir, vinified in enameled vats and aged four years on the bottle. Its palate combines tropical intensity, mineral freshness and ripe yellow fruit.
Novatio is a vintage cuvée made from 50% Meunier and 50% Pinot Noir, with five years on lees. Mango and pineapple lead the nose before tobacco and spice appear. The bottles range from a Chardonnay and Meunier composition to a Pinot Noir Blanc de Noirs and a vintage wine with extended lees ageing.
Final Word
Champagne Alain Mercier is a Passy-sur-Marne Récoltant Manipulant house whose named cuvées use Chardonnay, Meunier and Pinot Noir through traditional Champagne methods.