Who makes it
At Avenay-Val-d'Or, Gustav Heinrich Martel was a grower when he founded his eponymous house in 1869. The Rapeneau family now owns Champagne G.H. Martel & Cie after four generations of leadership, and the family has been present in Champagne for more than a century.
The family vineyard is certified Haute Valeur Environnementale level 3 and spread across 64 Champagne villages. The house style is fresh and mineral, with pronounced acidity, delicacy and expression in the cuvées.
Where it grows
Reims is the current headquarters of Champagne G.H. Martel & Cie. The family vineyard extends across 64 Champagne villages, giving the house a broad Champagne base.
The Victoire collection works at a more defined site level, using a meticulous selection of terroirs predominantly classified Premier Cru. In Champagne, Premier Cru identifies a higher classified tier of vineyard origin, so the designation narrows the geographic focus of these cuvées.
What they make
Victoire is a collection built from predominantly Premier Cru terroirs. Its named bottles include Victoire Brut Prestige and Victoire Premier Cru, alongside Blanc de Blancs and Blanc de Noirs. The lineup also includes Millésime and Brut Rosé.
Blanc de Blancs is made from 100% Chardonnay and carries a 10g/l dosage. Dosage is the wine and sugar addition made after disgorgement in traditional method Champagne, adjusting the final balance of the bottle.