Fifth generation Champagne grower farming 8 hectares of Premier Cru vines across three Montagne de Reims villages.
The producer
Émile-Paul Duménil opened a bistro in Chigny-les-Roses in 1874 and sold his first bottles there. Today Frédérique Duménil leads the independent family estate in its fifth generation, with Hugues Poret managing the vineyard. The holdings cover 8 hectares of Premier Cru vineyards across Chigny-les-Roses, Rilly-la-Montagne and Ludes. The vines include Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay, with 29 distinct plots across the three villages.
Known for
Premier Cru family grower Champagne
Notable facts
Founded in 1874 by Émile-Paul Duménil.
The estate farms 8 hectares of Premier Cru vineyards.
The holdings span Chigny-les-Roses, Rilly-la-Montagne and Ludes.
The vineyards contain 29 distinct parcels.
The vines are planted to Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay.
Grande Réserve contains 50% solera reserve wine from multiple harvests.
The story
Cécile Plants Chardonnay
In 1969, Cécile Duménil planted Chardonnay in Chigny-les-Roses. The planting came from her love of old vintages and began as an experiment. It succeeded, establishing Chardonnay holdings for Champagne Duménil. Chardonnay is one of Champagne’s three classic grape varieties. In sparkling wine, grape choice affects the base wine before lees ageing and dosage shape the finished bottle. Cécile’s planting gave the family established Chardonnay vines in Chigny-les-Roses, alongside Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier across the estate’s Premier Cru vineyards.
From the atlas
Champagne Duménil
An independent family estate in the Premier Cru vineyards of the Montagne de Reims, Champagne Duménil works three classic Champagne varieties across three villages.
At A Glance
Field
Detail
Producer
Champagne Duménil
Type
Independent family estate
Vineyard status
Premier Cru
Grapes
Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Chardonnay
Cuvée
Grande Réserve
The Producer
Émile-Paul Duménil opened a bistro in Chigny-les-Roses and sold his first bottles there. Champagne Duménil was founded in 1874.
The estate remains independent and family-operated in its fifth generation. Frédérique Duménil is the current proprietor, partnered with her husband Hugues Poret, a winemaker known for his expertise in viticulture. The estate owns 8 hectares of Premier Cru vineyards, planted with Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay.
Place
The vineyards lie in Chigny-les-Roses, Rilly-la-Montagne and Ludes, three villages in the Montagne de Reims. Their northern exposure contributes coolness and freshness to the wines.
Premier Cru is a Champagne vineyard classification. It describes the status of the vineyard source, not a grape variety or cellar method.
Wines
Grande Réserve contains 50% solera reserve wine from multiple harvests. Each bottle is disgorged four months before dispatch and receives a dosage made from aged wine and cane sugar. Dosage is the final addition made after disgorgement, adjusting the finished Champagne before release.
Amour de Cuvée has balanced ageing on lees and a long finish. Lees ageing keeps the wine with spent yeast cells after fermentation, a method that can add texture and savoury notes over time.
Final Word
The Premier Cru holdings contain 29 distinct parcels. Cécile Duménil planted Chardonnay in Chigny-les-Roses in 1969.