Hautvillers grower house working Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier in Brut, Blanc de Blancs, rosé and demi sec cuvées.
The producer
Champagne Fernand Lemaire is an independent grower house in Hautvillers, working Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. Its named range covers Tradition Brut, Blanc de Blancs Brut, Tradition Rosé Brut and Tradition Demi Sec. Tradition Brut uses Premier Cru grapes, while Blanc de Blancs Brut is all Chardonnay. Tradition Brut shows apricot, peach, brioche and mineral notes from chalky limestone soil. The house also holds Haute valeur environnementale certification and Vignobles et découvertes designation.
Known for
Hautvillers Premier Cru Champagne
Notable facts
Founded in 1903 by Fernand Lemaire.
Operates 6 hectares of vineyard in Hautvillers.
Plants Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier.
Tradition Brut uses 100% Premier Cru grapes.
The story
Fernand Buys His Press
Fernand Lemaire committed fully to winemaking by purchasing his own press and establishing an independent operation. A press receives harvested grapes and separates the must from the skins and stems before fermentation, making it one of the first cellar decisions in a sparkling wine's production. Fernand's purchase placed pressing inside the house's own work. The operation began with a machine and a decision: the family would handle this stage itself. That equipment gave the house control over the start of the wine, before fermentation and ageing shaped the finished cuvée.
From the atlas
Champagne Lemaire
Champagne Fernand Lemaire is a Hautvillers house working Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier across Brut, rosé and demi sec cuvées.
At A Glance
Field
Detail
Village
Hautvillers
Vineyard
6 hectares
Founded
1903 by Fernand Lemaire
Grape varieties
Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier
Cuvée
Tradition Brut
The Producer
Champagne Fernand Lemaire is a Vigneron indépendant, an independent grower status that places vineyard work and wine production within one house. It also holds Haute valeur environnementale certification and the Vignobles et découvertes designation. The range covers Brut, Blanc de Blancs, rosé and demi sec formats.
Place
Hautvillers is the village address for the house, at 88 rue des Buttes. The site is planted to Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, giving the house the three main Champagne grape varieties used across white, rosé and demi sec cuvées.
Wines
Tradition Brut is the house's Brut cuvée and uses 100% Premier Cru grapes. Blanc de Blancs Brut is made entirely from Chardonnay. Tradition Rosé Brut brings the rosé format, while Tradition Demi Sec uses 34% Chardonnay, 33% Pinot Noir and 33% Meunier. The range moves by grape, color and sweetness, from Brut and Chardonnay only to rosé and demi sec.
In The Glass
Tradition Brut is light golden yellow, with fine bubbles and a fresh, delicate mousse. Apricot and peach meet brioche and mineral notes from chalky limestone soil. Blanc de Blancs Brut has an expressive nose of white flowers and citrus fruit. Tradition Rosé Brut shows pastel pink color with light salmon hues and lively effervescence. Tradition Demi Sec is soft and round, with generous fruit notes.
A Bottle To Understand It
Tradition Brut is the bottle to open first. It is a Brut cuvée made from Premier Cru grapes, and the range's other choices then change grape, color or sweetness. Blanc de Blancs Brut is Chardonnay only, Tradition Rosé Brut changes the color, and Tradition Demi Sec moves to a sweeter style.
Final Word
Champagne Fernand Lemaire is a Hautvillers Vigneron indépendant with Brut, Blanc de Blancs, rosé and demi sec cuvées.