Montgueux grower Champagne from chalk, clay and flint, with old vines and cuvées moving toward Brut Nature.
The producer
Champagne Hélène Beaugrand works Montgueux vineyards in the Aube, south of the Côte des Blancs, on chalk, clay, Turonian limestone and flint. Hélène returned to the family estate in 2008 after wine education in Burgundy and winemaking in South Africa, Australia, Mexico, New Zealand and the United States. Her independent RM label began in 2018. The vines are farmed with High Environmental Value methods, without herbicides, and pesticides are reserved for rare occasions. Some cuvées are moving toward Brut Nature as ripe, rot free grapes permit lower dosage.
Known for
Montgueux grower Champagne
Notable facts
The independent RM label was established in 2018.
The vineyards are all at least 45 years old.
Montgueux received AOC Champagne designation in 1927.
High Environmental Value viticulture methods are used in the vineyards.
Malolactic fermentation is allowed on all wines.
The story
Léon Beaugrand Street
In 1927, Léon Beaugrand and the Beaugrand family pushed for Montgueux to receive AOC Champagne status. The designation followed, and the first bottles from Montgueux went on sale in 1930. The town later named its main street Léon Beaugrand as a mark of respect for the family's role in securing the appellation. The street name still records that local campaign in the landscape of Montgueux, where the family tradition now continues through Hélène Beaugrand's independent grower label.
From the atlas
Champagne Hélène Beaugrand
Montgueux grower Champagne from old vineyards on chalk, clay, limestone and flint, with cuvées moving toward lower or zero dosage.
At A Glance
Detail
Information
Place
Montgueux, Aube, south of the Côte des Blancs
Producer type
RM, a grower category for Champagne made from estate grown grapes
Vineyard setting
Southeast facing vines on Upper Cretaceous chalk and clay
Main styles
Blanc de Blancs and Brut Nature cuvées
Farming
High Environmental Value viticulture without herbicides
The Producer
In 2018, Hélène Beaugrand split from the family business and created her independent RM label. Her label covers 3 hectares of Montgueux vineyards. Hélène had returned to the family estate in 2008 after wine education in Burgundy and several years making wine in South Africa, Australia, Mexico, New Zealand and the United States.
Her family's winemaking tradition began in the early 1900s. The vineyards are at least 45 years old, and the farming uses High Environmental Value methods. Herbicides are excluded, while pesticides are reserved for the rarest occasions and chosen from environmentally friendly options.
Place
Montgueux is a hill 10 kilometres from Troyes in the Aube, south of the Côte des Blancs. The town received AOC Champagne designation in 1927, and the first bottles went on sale in 1930. Its main street is named Léon Beaugrand because the Beaugrand family pushed for the designation.
Soft Turonian limestone and flint soils date to 90 million years ago and give the wines distinctive mineral qualities. The southeast facing vines sit on Upper Cretaceous chalk and clay, with grass cover between the rows.
Wines
The range comprises six cuvées. Hélène Beaugrand Le Grand Carré Blanc de Blancs is a Blanc de Blancs Champagne, a style made from white grapes. Other cuvées are moving toward lower or zero dosage, and some are made as Brut Nature. Dosage is the sugar addition made after disgorgement, so a lower dosage leaves a drier finish.
Malolactic fermentation is allowed on all wines. This conversion changes sharper malic acid into softer lactic acid, lowering perceived acidity and rounding the palate. The range combines different sweetness levels with a cellar approach that permits malolactic fermentation throughout.
Final Word
Champagne Hélène Beaugrand makes Montgueux Champagne under an independent grower label, from old vineyards farmed with High Environmental Value methods and cuvées moving toward lower or zero dosage.