Paul Launois Champagne

About Paul Launois Champagne

As a récoltant-manipulant, a producer who both grows the grapes and makes the champagne themselves, Paul Launois takes a more hands-on, small-scale approach than the big houses. That gives champagnes with a distinct sense of place, rarely found outside specialist shops.

History & Background

The Launois family has grown grapes in Villers-Marmery for generations, in a corner of the Montagne de Reims traditionally known for Pinot Noir, where the soil turned out to be unusually well suited to Chardonnay. That combination, Grand Cru status and a grape variety that normally belongs elsewhere, has given the house its niche reputation.

Production & Style

The Chardonnay grapes are hand-harvested in Villers-Marmery and vinified in small batches, with a focus on preserving the site's mineral character rather than smoothing it out in a large blend.

Signature Style

Mineral, Elegant, Site-driven
Bone-dry citrus and white flowers carried by a distinct chalky minerality, typical of Chardonnay from the Montagne de Reims' limestone soils.

Facts

Did You Know?

Villers-Marmery is one of very few villages in the otherwise Pinot Noir-dominated Montagne de Reims where Chardonnay has been allowed to take over, thanks to unusually chalky soil.

Like Paul Launois Champagne? You should also try:

Deutz Champagne and Mandois Champagne.