Moussy Champagne house with artisanal vine growing and winemaking, and a Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay Brut.
The producer
Champagne José Michel & Fils is based in Moussy in the Côtes d'Épernay and represents five generations of family stewardship in winemaking. The house follows an artisanal approach to vine growing and cellar work, with annual decisions on cellaring practices. Its range includes Prémices Brut, a Meunier and Chardonnay cuvée, Clos Saint Jean Blanc de Blancs, and Special Club 2014.
Known for
Pinot Meunier led Champagne
Notable facts
The family's vineyard ownership in Moussy dates to 1847.
The house represents five generations of continuous family stewardship in winemaking.
Prémices Brut contains 70% Meunier and 30% Chardonnay.
Richard Juhlin names José Michel among the few Pinot Meunier based Champagnes with proven age worthiness.
The story
José Plants Chardonnay
In 1958, José Michel planted Chardonnay, the first member of his family to do so. The choice broke with regional convention and changed the estate's vineyard composition. The grape later appeared alongside Meunier in Prémices Brut, while Clos Saint Jean Blanc de Blancs carried the white grape style in its name. José's decision began with one planting and remains represented by two named cuvées in the range.
From the atlas
Champagne José Michel & Fils
A Moussy Champagne house shaped by artisanal vine growing and winemaking, with Prémices Brut joining Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay in one cuvée.
At A Glance
Field
Detail
Region
Champagne
Appellation
Côtes d'Épernay
Village
Moussy
Main grapes
Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay
Signature wine
Prémices Brut
Defining feature
Five generations of family stewardship
The Producer
Vineyard ownership at Champagne José Michel & Fils dates to 1847. The family is one of the oldest winegrowing families in Moussy. The house works from an artisanal approach to vine growing and winemaking, with cellar practices decided annually.
Place
Moussy is in the Côtes d'Épernay, near Épernay. The Côtes d'Épernay designation identifies the local appellation, while Champagne identifies the wider sparkling wine appellation. In Champagne, the traditional method includes a second fermentation in bottle and ageing on lees, the yeast sediment that can add brioche and pastry notes.
Wines
Prémices Brut is a nonvintage cuvée made from 70% Meunier and 30% Chardonnay. Clos Saint Jean Blanc de Blancs has a restrained, noble character. Special Club 2014 is the vintage cuvée in the range.
The three bottles occupy different positions: a nonvintage blend, a Blanc de Blancs, and a vintage Special Club. Blanc de Blancs means a sparkling wine made from white grapes, while the Prémices composition brings Meunier and Chardonnay together.
In The Glass
Special Club 2014 shows brioche, candied green apple, and orange blossom. Brioche in sparkling wine can come from lees ageing, when the wine rests with yeast sediment after its second fermentation. Candied green apple gives the aroma a sweetened fruit note, while orange blossom brings a floral note.
A Bottle To Understand It
Use Prémices Brut first. It is a nonvintage Brut made from Meunier and Chardonnay, so both grapes appear in one cuvée. Clos Saint Jean Blanc de Blancs and the vintage Special Club represent two different formats within the range.
Final Word
José Michel & Fils keeps its artisanal approach open to annual decisions in the cellar.