Who makes it
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.
Where it grows
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.
What they make
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.