Description
The Wine
La Charbauterie is Hélène Charbaut’s multi-varietal cuvée — and the wine we’d put in front of someone encountering her range for the first time. Where her other cuvées each express a single grape variety in isolation, La Charbauterie brings all three together: 34% Chardonnay, 33% Pinot Noir, 33% Meunier. The fruit comes from 52-year-old vines across three terroirs — Bisseuil, Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, and Avenay Val d’Or — on clay-limestone soils. Only juice from the free-run cuvée is used. No pressing.
Vinification is in 228-litre oak barrels, with 35% reserve wine from 2021 added from both barrel and large foudre. Unfiltered. The dosage is listed as brut nature — zero added sugar. 4,557 bottles produced.
The result is a Champagne of real precision and mineral tension that reflects where it comes from rather than a house style. Hélène came to Champagne after winemaking experience in Burgundy, and the influence shows: this is Champagne made with the same attention to single-plot terroir expression that defines the best grower Burgundy.
Vineyard & Vintage Details
- Producer: Champagne Hélène Charbaut
- Cuvée: La Charbauterie
- Appellation: Champagne AOC
- Terroirs: Bisseuil, Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, Avenay Val d’Or
- Blend: 34% Chardonnay · 33% Pinot Noir · 33% Meunier
- Vine age: 52 years average
- Soils: Clay-limestone
- Vinification: 228L oak barrels · 35% reserve wine (2021) · unfiltered
- Extra Brut
- Production: 4,557 bottles
- Format: 750ml
Tasting Notes
Precise and mineral on the nose — white flowers, green apple, a hint of brioche from the oak ageing. On the palate, the three varieties work together rather than competing: the Chardonnay brings freshness and length, the Pinot Noir adds structure, the Meunier contributes texture and roundness. Long, dry finish. A Champagne built for the table rather than the aperitif glass.
Service: 10–12°C. Oysters, shellfish, white fish, aged Comté.
About Champagne Hélène Charbaut
Hélène Charbaut is the fourth generation of the Champagne Charbaut family, based in Mareuil-Sur-Aÿ at the tip of the historic Champagne hillsides in Vallée de la Marne. After gaining experience in winemaking in Burgundy, Hélène decided to experiment with new methods in 2020, particularly single-plot vinification in oak, while limiting the use of inputs in the wine. From the vineyard to the cellar, everything is done with respect and minimal intervention.
Hélène is focusing on exploring the terroir of the Premier Cru Bisseuil vineyard, which led to the creation of three single grape varieties cuvées: ‘La Crayère’ (100% Chardonnay), ‘La Pirouette’ (100% Pinot Noir), and ‘La Meunière’ (100% Meunier). With this new vision, Champagne Hélène Charbaut expresses a unique character, offering a journey to the heart of the terroir.
