Pommery
Summary
Champagne Pommery, a historic house established in 1836 in Reims and now part of the Vranken-Pommery Monopole group, produces traditional champagnes from 25 hectares of estate vineyards across the chalky soils of Côte des Blancs and clay-limestone compositions of Montagne de Reims. The house maintains its revolutionary legacy as the creator of the first commercially successful brut champagne in 1874, aging its wines well beyond legal minimums in UNESCO-recognized chalk cellars while balancing traditional methods with sustainability initiatives.
Heritage & Leadership
Champagne Pommery was established in Reims in 1836 by Narcisse Greno and Alexandre Louis Pommery as a wool trading business that also dealt in champagne. The house underwent a transformative period when Alexandre Louis Pommery died in 1858, leaving his widow, Louise Pommery, to assume control. Under her leadership, the company shifted its focus entirely to champagne production. Madame Pommery made history in 1874 by creating the first commercially successful brut champagne, Pommery Nature, at a time when sweet champagnes dominated the market.
The Pommery estate includes the remarkable chalk cellars in Reims, former Roman chalk quarries that Madame Pommery purchased and transformed into wine cellars in the 1860s. These cellars, extending 18 kilometers underground, were designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2015 as part of the "Champagne Hillsides, Houses and Cellars" listing.
Since 1990, Pommery has been part of the Vranken-Pommery Monopole group, one of the largest champagne producers in the world. The group is headed by Paul-François Vranken, who acquired Pommery from LVMH. Today, the house maintains its historical significance while operating as part of this larger corporate structure.
Vineyards & Wines
Pommery sources grapes from vineyards across the Champagne region, with significant holdings in the Montagne de Reims, Côte des Blancs, and Aube areas. The house manages approximately 25 hectares of its own vineyards, supplemented by long-term contracts with growers throughout the region.
The vineyards primarily grow the three traditional champagne varieties: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier. The diverse terroir includes the chalky soils of the Côte des Blancs, particularly prized for Chardonnay, and the more clay-limestone compositions of the Montagne de Reims, which favor Pinot Noir development.
Pommery's flagship wine remains the Brut Royal, a non-vintage blend typically composed of 35% Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Noir, and 30% Pinot Meunier, though proportions vary by year to maintain house style. The portfolio extends to vintage offerings, including the prestige cuvée Louise, named after Madame Pommery, and the distinctive Cuvée Louise Rosé. The house also produces the POP series, recognizable by its distinctive blue mini bottles, aimed at more casual consumption occasions.
Philosophy & Practice
Pommery's winemaking philosophy centers on freshness and elegance, with a house style characterized by vivacity and refined acidity. This approach dates back to Madame Pommery's revolutionary decision to produce dry champagne in the 1870s, countering the prevailing sweet styles of the era.
The production process adheres to traditional champagne methods, with primary fermentation in stainless steel tanks to preserve fruit purity. The house employs a relatively long aging period for its non-vintage Brut Royal, keeping it on lees for 36 months, exceeding the legal minimum of 15 months. The prestige cuvée Louise ages for at least eight years before release.
Pommery maintains a temperature-controlled environment in its historic chalk cellars, providing ideal conditions for the slow maturation of the wines. The constant temperature of 10-12°C and humidity levels of 75-85% create optimal aging conditions.
In recent years, Pommery has expanded its focus on sustainability, implementing measures to reduce carbon emissions and water usage in production. The house has also explored organic viticulture practices in portions of its estate vineyards, though it does not currently hold organic certification for its main production line. Pommery continues to balance respect for tradition with modern winemaking techniques, maintaining its position as one of Champagne's historic houses.