Fleury-la-Rivière Champagne producer using first press must and no malolactic fermentation in its current wines.
The producer
Patrice Marc directs Champagne Arthur Marc, with Grégory alongside him. Based in Fleury-la-Rivière, the estate farms four hectares of vines that are approximately thirty years old, rooted in clay and limestone soil. Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier are planted across the holding. The house uses reasoned cultivation to protect the soil, works with a traditional press and first press must, and does not carry out malolactic fermentation.
Known for
First press Champagne with lees ageing
Notable facts
Patrice Marc is the estate's director, with Grégory alongside him.
The estate farms four hectares of vines that are approximately thirty years old, rooted in clay and limestone soil.
Plantings are 40% Pinot Noir, 10% Pinot Meunier and 50% Chardonnay.
The house uses first press must and ages its Champagnes on lees for at least three years.
The story
Baradat's Exile And Bequest
Champagne Arthur Marc places its origin in 1626, when François de Baradat was a rich vineyard owner at Fleury-la-Rivière and a courtier of Louis XIII. Richelieu exiled him for romantic intrigues and for challenging a marquis to a duel. Baradat later returned to court and bequeathed the estate. He had held the domain as a vineyard owner before the transfer. That bequest became the inheritance of Champagne Arthur Marc. The bequeathed domain was at Fleury-la-Rivière, the estate's home, and the winegrowing line continued through the generations.
From the atlas
Champagne Arthur Marc
A Champagne producer in Fleury-la-Rivière using a traditional press, with current wines that avoid malolactic fermentation to preserve grape acidity as the climate warms.
At A Glance
Field
Detail
Region
Champagne
Vineyard area
4 hectares
Planting
40% Pinot Noir, 10% Pinot Meunier, 50% Chardonnay
The Producer
François de Baradat returned to court after Richelieu exiled him, then bequeathed his vineyard domain at Fleury-la-Rivière. That estate became the inheritance of Champagne Arthur Marc. Patrice Marc directs the producer, with Grégory alongside him, and the winegrowing line reaches through twelve generations. The house uses reasoned cultivation to protect the soil.
Place
Clay and limestone give the vines both water holding capacity and drainage. Fleury-la-Rivière lies in a small valley on the right bank of the Marne, near Épernay and at the edge of the Vallée de la Marne. The vines are approximately thirty years old. For sparkling grapes, that balance can support steady ripening with freshness in the base wine.
Wines
The range includes two named sparkling cuvées: Champagne Arthur Marc Grande Cuvée and Champagne Arthur Marc Initiale Noir & Blanc Brut. Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier are represented in the vineyard. The cuvées use only first press must, the initial juice from the press. The Champagnes age on lees for at least three years. Spent yeast cells can add texture and toast during that time, while the bubbles mature.
Final Word
The first bottles were sold in 1978. Patrice Marc and Grégory now continue the winegrowing line at Champagne Arthur Marc.