At A Glance
- Field
- Detail
- Region
- Vallée de la Marne
- Village
- Pierry, south of Épernay
- Main grapes
- Pinot Meunier, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir
- Producer type
- Récoltant manipulant
- Defining feature
- Old and very old vintages with extended cellar time
The Producer
Guy Michel founded Champagne Guy Michel & Fils in Pierry in 1959 as the fourth generation of his family to make Champagne. The family tradition began in 1847. Today the house works as a récoltant manipulant, making Champagne from its own 22 hectare vineyard base and its own facilities.
Annual production is approximately 100,000 bottles. The house's philosophy centres on a passion for old wines, continuous quality, and extended cellar time before release.
Place
Pierry lies in the Vallée de la Marne, south of Épernay. The vineyards are planted 50% to Pinot Meunier, 35% to Chardonnay and 15% to Pinot Noir, giving the house a Meunier led base with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in smaller proportions.
That planting order appears across the range. Chardonnay forms the Blanc de Blancs cuvée, while all three grapes appear in Brut Cuvée Réserve.
Wines
Blanc de Blancs is made from 100% Chardonnay. The cuvée is presented as an aperitif Champagne and as a partner for fish.
Brut Cuvée Réserve combines 10% Pinot Noir, 55% Chardonnay and 35% Pinot Meunier. It is a Champagne for all occasions, with the three grape varieties giving it a broader composition than the Blanc de Blancs.
Vinothèque Millésimé Extra Brut belongs to the house's late released wines. The wine has a straw yellow colour with golden reflections and fine, persistent bubbles. Its low sugar dosage leaves the fruit's natural character more exposed.
The 1996 vintage stayed on lees for more than 20 years in the cellars before late disgorgement. Lees are the yeast deposits left after the second fermentation in bottle, and extended contact can add savoury depth, finer texture and greater maturity. The 1996 was described as balanced and intense, with a medium to long aftertaste.
Final Word
Champagne Guy Michel & Fils is a Pierry récoltant manipulant whose range moves from Chardonnay Blanc de Blancs to mature Champagne released after extended lees ageing.
Sources
1. https://champagnevisit.be/producentenmichelEN.php 2. https://champagneloungebar.com/2020/07/09/we-tasted-guy-michel-fils-1996/ 3. https://winetomas.wordpress.com/2015/07/08/champagne-village-profile-pierry-just-south-of-epernay/ 4. https://bottleofitaly.com/en/products/champagne-vinotheque-millesime-1989-extra-brut-guy-michel