5 Champagne Houses Worth Toasting This National Bubbly Day
Saturday, June 3rd, is National Bubbly Day and what better way to celebrate than with a classic – Champagne? Established in 2016 by Freixenet Cava, this annual holiday is the perfect opportunity to explore the world of Champagne and discover some lesser-known producers. To help make your celebration extra special, we’ve rounded up five Champagne houses that are excellent alternatives to larger, well-known producers like Veuve Clicquot, Taittinger, and Perrier-Jouet (all due respect!), but are still widely available. From Delamotte – one of the oldest Champagne producers in the region – to Champagne de Saint-Gall, a new entrant into the US market, these Champagne houses have something for everyone. So grab your glass and get ready to toast.
Billecart-Salmon
Founded over 200 years ago in 1818 when Nicolas François Billecart married Elisabeth Salmon, the renowned House of Billecart-Salmon still stands in Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, France. A rarity among Champagne producers, it is one of the few to remain family owned and operated to this day, with Mathieu Roland-Billecart, the 7th generation of the family, at its helm. The motto ‘‘Give priority to quality, strive for excellence’’ has been upheld since its very inception and continues to be embodied in each and every bottle of Billecart-Salmon Champagne. Through two centuries of expertise, they have secured a place as an iconic figure in the industry by consistently producing wines of exceptional quality. There’s no doubt that each sip is not only a testament to their commitment to excellence, but also a celebration of tradition.
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A blend of 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay, this cuveé was originally produced as a tribute to the House’s founder and was first released back in 1964. The 2018 vintage is a blend of almost exclusively Grand Cru grapes, with 17% from the Premier Cru village of Mareuil-sur-Ay.
As demand for Champagne has skyrocketed, some producers have rushed their wines to market,resulting in an influx of lower quality Champagnes. Billecart-Salmon, however, has eschewed this approach. This particular cuvée spent an impressive 150 months (over 12 years) en tirage and only required 2.9 g/l dosage to reach its perfect balance.
Delamotte
Champagne Delamotte, founded in 1760 by Francois Delamotte, is one of the oldest Champagne producers in the region. It has passed through multiple generations, changing its name along the way before being re-established as Delamotte in the late 1940s when it was taken over by the de Nonancourt family. Bernard de Nonancourt managed this esteemed House until 1988, when it was acquired by Champagne Laurent-Perrier who, in 1989, proceeded to purchase Champagne Salon – located just next door in Le Mesnil-sur-Oger – and ultimately joined the two businesses under their management. To this day, Champagne Salon and Champagne Delamotte remain sister companies.
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As one of the few rosé Champagnes made entirely from Grand Cru vineyards located in one single village, Delamotte’s Rosé is truly special. It showcases the complexity and finesse that can be achieved when great care and attention is put into creating a very select product from some of the best vineyard sites in Champagne.
Delamotte Rosé has a beautiful salmon color and expressive aromas of red fruits and floral notes. On the palate, it offers a blend of red fruit flavors such as strawberry and raspberry along with subtle minerality. If you’re looking for a new rosé to try then look no further than Delamotte Rosé – it will make your National Bubbly Day or any occasion feel like a milestone celebration .
Champagne De Saint-Gall
Champagne de Saint-Gall is an exciting new entry in the US market, and the flagship Chardonnay-focused label of Union Coopérative. Founded in 1966, Union Coopérative is a cooperative that consists of 15 cooperatives and over 2,300 vintners, growers, and other winemaking professionals. De Saint-Gall encompasses 1,400 hectares of coveted Premier and Grand Cru vineyards. The winemaking approach behind this brand carefully balances craftsmanship and the latest technology to create a distinct experience with each sip. Union Cooperative produces nine cuvées of Saint-Gall Champagne, including three Blancs de Blancs and six collector’s Champagnes.
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De Saint-Gall Blanc de Blancs, the signature Champagne of de Saint-Gall, is a 100% Chardonnay Grand Cru Champagne. It has beautiful aromas of white flowers and lime blossoms. This fresh and delicate Champagne is a perfect aperitif.
Legras & Haas
The Legras & Haas winery is another Champagne house with a rich family history. For six generations, the family has been growing grapes and producing wine in the picturesque Chouilly of Côte des Blancs. Founded by Brigitte Haas and François Legras in 1991, Legras & Haas is now run by their three sons: Rémi, Olivier, and Jérôme. They own 38 hectares (18 of which are in Chouilly itself) but also source grapes from local growers.
At Legras & Haas, they strive for perfection in all aspects of production. They use only first pressings to create full-bodied Champagnes of great complexity. As a family-run operation, all blending decisions are made together, with careful deliberation and input from their house oenologist Sébastien Struzik.
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Cuveé Les Sillons 2105 is an excellent vintage Blanc de Blancs Champagne, crafted in the renowned Grand Cru village of Chouilly – the most northerly in the Côte des Blancs. It’s a special wine that has evolved over two decades of experimentation with their Derrière des Partelaines vineyard. The name is a tribute to its beauty, the dedication put into working the vines, and their unwavering determination.
Vinified in oak barrels, this Champagne boasts a remarkable freshness and structure, along with delicate aromas of starfruit, juicy pears and apples, all underpinned by a delightful salinity that lingers on the finish.
Telmont
Telmont Champagne House has been a family-run business since its founding in 1912, located in Damery near Épernay in France. The founder, Henri Lhôpital, was inspired by the Champagne Riots of 1910 and 1911 to create the House. Today, Bertrand Lhôpital is cellar master and head of viticulture representing the fourth generation of the House.
With their commitment to producing high-quality Champagnes while respecting the environment, Telmont launched their “In the Name of Mother Nature” program in 2021. This program involves converting 100% of their estate and partner’s parcels to organic viticulture, preserving biodiversity and reducing their carbon footprint. To do this they have eliminated unnecessary packaging like gift boxes, started using lighter bottles, and made the switch from air freight to renewable energy for bottle transport. The company aims to be Climate Positive by 2030 and Net Positive by 2050.
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Champagne Telmont Réserve Brut is a complex, delectable blend of 43% Chardonnay, 37% Pinot Meunier, and 20% Pinot Noir from seven different vintages. A perfect mix of richness, fruitiness, and freshness, it’s a beautiful expression of the land on which it’s grown.