Guy Charlemagne
Summary
Guy Charlemagne is a fifth-generation family estate operating since 1892 in the Grand Cru village of Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, producing primarily Chardonnay-based Champagnes from 15 hectares of chalky soils in the Côte des Blancs. Their deliberately small-scale operation enables meticulous attention to traditional methods, including hand-harvesting, gentle pressing, and extended aging that exceeds appellation requirements, allowing their distinctive Grand Cru terroir to shine through with minimal intervention.
Heritage & Leadership
Guy Charlemagne was established in 1892 in the Grand Cru village of Le Mesnil-sur-Oger in Champagne's prestigious Côte des Blancs. The house remains family-owned and operated, now in its fifth generation with Philippe Charlemagne at the helm. Philippe took over management from his father in the 1980s, continuing the family's commitment to producing Champagnes that express the distinctive terroir of their Grand Cru vineyards.
The Charlemagne family has maintained their base of operations in Le Mesnil-sur-Oger throughout their history, focusing on small-scale production that allows for meticulous attention to detail. Their continuity of family ownership has enabled a consistent house style to develop over generations, with knowledge passed directly from father to son.
Vineyards & Wines
Guy Charlemagne manages approximately 15 hectares of vineyards, primarily located in the Grand Cru villages of Le Mesnil-sur-Oger and Oger in the Côte des Blancs. These holdings are predominantly planted with Chardonnay (87%), with the remainder dedicated to Pinot Noir (13%) from parcels in the Marne Valley.
The vineyards benefit from the region's distinctive chalky soils, which provide excellent drainage and impart the characteristic minerality for which Côte des Blancs Champagnes are known. The chalk subsoil, composed of marine sediments from the Cretaceous period, retains water during dry periods and helps regulate vine hydration.
The house produces a focused range of Champagnes, with their signature offering being the Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru made exclusively from Chardonnay grown in their Le Mesnil-sur-Oger vineyards. Their portfolio also includes a Brut Réserve, Brut Rosé, and several vintage-dated cuvées that showcase specific harvest years.
Philosophy & Practice
Guy Charlemagne adheres to traditional Champagne production methods, beginning with hand-harvesting to ensure only the highest quality grapes enter production. The house employs a vertical press to extract juice gently, followed by fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks to preserve the purity of fruit expression.
The base wines undergo malolactic fermentation, which softens acidity while adding complexity. For their reserve wines, the house maintains a perpetual reserve system, blending a portion of each year's wine with previous reserves to maintain consistency in their non-vintage offerings.
Aging exceeds the minimum requirements of the appellation, with non-vintage Champagnes matured for at least three years on lees and vintage selections for five to seven years. This extended aging develops the complex brioche and toasty notes that complement the bright fruit characteristics of their wines.
The house philosophy centers on expressing the distinctive mineral character of their Grand Cru terroir while maintaining balance and finesse. Their approach emphasizes minimal intervention in both vineyard and cellar, allowing the natural qualities of their sites to shine through in the finished wines.