Billecart-Salmon: a Premier House in the Champagne Region
Summer 2023 Tour Uncovers the Elegance of the Family-Owned Champagne House
Visiting Billecart-Salmon
It was my privilege to visit the Billecart-Salmon winery last summer, 2023. Our host and Sommelier, Jerome LaFouge conducted a thorough tour of the house, grounds, and winery followed by a portfolio tasting. Some of the favorites are listed below. The stunning and recently renovated historic Clos St. Hilaire vineyard is right behind the main house. This is considered a “monopole” – a single, enclosed vineyard that produces a single wine. Make sure to book this important Champagne house well in advance of your visit to Champagne. It was my second visit, and well worth revisiting in the quaint village of Mareuil-sur-Aÿ near Epernay. I highly recommend the wines and the tour.
About Billecart-Salmon
Billecart-Salmon is still family-owned, and the sincere hospitality and attention to detail is evident. Mathieu Roland-Billecart, CEO, is the 7th generation of Champagne Billecart-Salmon, founded in 1818 with the marriage of Nicolas François Billecart and Elisabeth Salmon. They own 100 Hectares and also obtain grapes (they are a Champagne House and a Negotiant- a grape buyer) from an area of 300 hectares across 40 crus of the Champagne area, including the Grand Crus of Pinot Noir, Meunier and Chardonnay in the Montagne de Reims, Vallée de la Marne, and the Côte de Blancs regions of Champagne.
About the Champagne Region
The Champagne region has a long history that spans back before the accidental invention of Champagne in the 17th century. Dom Perignon, the Benedictine monk credited with Champagne’s invention, really did not discover Champagne. The phenomenon of streaming bubbles created by the refermentation of wine had been observed for decades. He did, however, make enormous contributions to Champagne’s winemaking techniques such as making white wine from red grapes. His famous quote, “Come quick, I’m Drinking the Stars” is hard to verify, but appropriate for this festive drink. See “15 Champagne Facts and Rumors,” Wine Wanderings, March 13, 2021
The Champagne region, about an hour’s train ride from Paris, sits in the pretty French countryside encompassing the major towns of Reims and Épernay. Roman conquests, Frank’s invasions, the French Revolution, and two World Wars have buffeted the region. The Gothic Cathedral of Notre-Dame of Reims, completed in 14th century, reflects the triumphs and scars of those times. See “Champagne – A Taste and Tour of History” Wine Wanderings, Feb 13, 2021.
“I only drink Champagne on two occasions: when I am in love and when I’m not.”
– Coco Chanel
Billecart-Salmon Champagne Recommendations
2006 Billecart-Salmon Le Clos Saint-Hilaire with Wooden Gift Box, Vintage Champagne, France, $590
Decanter Magazine, 93 Points
2009 Billecart-Salmon Louis Salmon Brut Blanc de Blancs, Vintage Champagne, $209
Wine Enthusiast, 95 Points
Billecart-Salmon Brut Rose Champagne France, NV Champagne $115
Wine Enthusiast, 91 Points
Other Champagne Articles, Tricia Conover, DipWSET
“Celebrations Are Simply Better with Bubbles,” LuxeGetaways Magazine, December 2017 p. 162-165
“’LIVE’ from Champagne, France Press Tour,” Wine Wanderings, August 2, 2023 – If you Go, Where to Eat
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