Champagne Jacques Lassaigne is a specialist chardonnay grower run by Emmanuel Lassaigne, son of Jacques. He has been at the helm of the 4.7 hectare family vineyard in the village of Montgueux, located in the Aube département, since 1999. Emmanuel turned the House from a grape seller into a grower-producer that makes remarkable wines from individual vinified parcels; retaining their very distinct characteristics. In the vineyard chemical use is avoided, even those permitted to support organic viticulture. In the winery sulphur is only added when pressing, there’s no fining or filtration, disgorgement is by hand and always with zero dosage. The sole goal and focus of the House is precise expression of terroir.

An anomaly, the village of Montgueux and its terroir has little in common with its nearest neighbour, the growing region of Côtes des Bar. In general, it is an area of ‘new plantings’ (since the 1960’s) and shares more similarities in terroir style of Vitryat where the soil contains a more porous chalk in comparison to the Côte des Blancs. Interestingly the seam of chalk that Montgueux sits upon is 15 million years older than the chalk in the Côte des Blancs.

Nonetheless it is a chalky soil with a warmer microclimate, lending itself beautifully to chardonnay and producing blanc de blancs that have notes of ripe, tropical fruits and a sumptuous mouthfeel that still maintain a core of acidity. Perfect for pairing with the produce of late Summer.