Delamotte
Summary
Founded in 1760, Champagne Delamotte is one of the region's oldest houses, operating from the Grand Cru village of Le Mesnil-sur-Oger and focusing primarily on Chardonnay-based wines from the limestone-rich soils of the Côte des Blancs. The house maintains traditional methods including hand harvesting and extended lees aging while employing minimal dosage to preserve the natural mineral expression of their distinguished terroir.
Heritage & Leadership
Founded in 1760 in the village of Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Champagne Delamotte stands as one of the oldest continuously operating Champagne houses in France. François Delamotte, a vineyard owner in this prestigious Grand Cru village, established the house during the reign of Louis XV, laying the foundation for what would become a significant contributor to Champagne's viticultural legacy. The house underwent a pivotal transition in 1988 when it was acquired by the Laurent-Perrier group, creating an important connection with its sister house, the prestigious Salon.
Since this acquisition, Didier Depond has served as president of both Delamotte and Salon, guiding the houses with a unified vision while maintaining their distinct identities. Under the Laurent-Perrier umbrella, Delamotte has maintained its commitment to quality while benefiting from increased resources and distribution capabilities. The house continues to operate from its historic premises in Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, maintaining its deep connection to the terroir of the Côte des Blancs.
Vineyards & Wines
Delamotte sources its grapes primarily from Grand Cru villages in the Côte des Blancs, with particular focus on Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Oger, Avize, and Cramant. This region is distinguished by its chalky soils, which provide excellent drainage and impart the characteristic minerality for which Delamotte's wines are known. The house places special emphasis on Chardonnay, which thrives in these limestone-rich soils and forms the backbone of their production.
The flagship of Delamotte's portfolio is its Blanc de Blancs, made exclusively from Chardonnay grown in Grand Cru vineyards. The house also produces a classic Brut (a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier), a Blanc de Noirs (from Pinot Noir), and a Rosé. Each wine undergoes extended aging on lees—significantly longer than the minimum required by appellation regulations—contributing to the complexity and finesse that characterize the house style.
Philosophy & Practice
Delamotte adheres to traditional Champagne production methods, beginning with hand harvesting to ensure only the highest quality grapes enter production. The house practices gentle pressing, followed by fermentation in stainless steel tanks to preserve the purity of fruit expression and terroir character. For their Blanc de Blancs, Delamotte employs extended lees aging—a minimum of four to five years—allowing the wine to develop complexity while maintaining freshness.
The house philosophy centers on allowing the terroir to speak through minimal intervention. Delamotte employs relatively low dosage levels, particularly in their Blanc de Blancs, to preserve the natural expression of the chalky soils and the precision of the fruit. This approach reflects a commitment to producing wines that express their origin rather than the heavy hand of the winemaker. The close relationship with Salon has reinforced this philosophy, as both houses share a dedication to expressing the exceptional terroir of the Côte des Blancs through distinctive, age-worthy Champagnes.