Champagne Billecart-Salmon
Two centuries of savoir-faire, rigor and passion for Champagne
©Billecart-Salmon
The Champagne Billecart-Salmon House is family-owned and established in 1818 by Nicolas François Billecart and Elisabeth Salmon. Since then each generation works with passion to perpetuate the motto of the house “Optimize quality, strive for excellence !“. The Champagne Billecart-Salmon house produces 10 differents cuvées.
Apart from the wines of Billecart-Salmon is also known for its famous French garden designed in 1926 by Charles Roland-Billecart.
« Currently it operates on 95 hectares as well as 60 hectares (Mareuil, Aÿ …) which was brought by the Frey Company.
I think one of the most beautiful proofs of recognition of our work is that it is common for local winemakers to come spontaneously to offer us their grapes. »
Where does the name of Billecart-Salmon come from ?
« When building the house in 1818, the founders Nicolas François Billecart and Elisabeth Salmon chose to juxtapose their two surnames. After all this is a family business ! »
Focus on François Domi, Cellar Master of Champagne Billecart-Salmon
« My father had vineyards but since there are seven children in the family the vineyard was not enough for everyone tto live off of.
The wine is a late vocation for me. The passion came to me through the village oenologist who gave me the wine virus. After that I studied at the Faculty of Oenology Reims then I started to looking for a job. In my mind I wanted to work only in two regions, Champagne or Bordeaux!
I started working in a wine laboratory (my first passion) and then at Charles Heidsieck. My lab experience was very interesting and educational. I saw what to do and what to avoid. At the time we could find a job easily in the vineyard. After some time I changed to come to work at Billecart-Salmon. I’m arrived at Billecart in September 1985. I started to work with Jean Roland-Billecart (father of François, the present CEO of the company). My first vintage vinified here was the 1985. Currently we produce ten qualities of Champagne and including a 100% Pinot Noir (old vines planted in 1964). This is the Clos St Hilaire. It must be produced, depending on the year, between 3,000 and 4,000 bottles.
The Cellar Master position is a beautiful job. I enjoy oenology, creating wine. It is a beautiful discipline, you can taste the terroir ! »
©Billecart-Salmon
What is the signature of Champagne Billecart-Salmon ?
« What characterizes our Champagne is delicate perfumes. Not scents . These flavors are very, very pronounced. Everything is in delicacy. Also found in our Champagne is a little freshness in the finish and an elegant but not heavy overhead structure.
The grandfather of François Roland-Billecart was a brewer. At that time (1960 ‘) in Champagne no one thought to make fermentation at cold temperatures however it was common for the manufacture of beer. Mr Billecart, intrigued by the cold fermentations conducted trials. He realized that cold fermentation led to good things. It worked better, better for less powerful champagnes with more finesse, more elegant and more delicate flavors. Today it is fermented at 13 ° c.
©Billecart-Salmon
We also work a lot on the use of the barrel. At first when I started working on thebarrel project we used only fifty barrels. Today there are over 400. They are used for the three grapes but primarily for the Grands Blancs and for Pinots Noirs. »
Personally I would say that what characterizes the Champagne Billecart-Salmon is the delicate aromas and champagne finish. The length on the palate, the finesse and creamyness and excitement of the bubbles and the excitement are also important markers of these champagnes.
If you had to describe it what is Champagne to you?
« First, I’m a technician. Champagne for me it’s a lifestyle, a festive product to celebrate happy events. This is a food friendly wine.
©Billecart-Salmon
In Paris our Champagnes are served in various gourmet restaurants such as L’Arpège (Alain Passard). He prepares dishes that blend perfectly with Champagne Billecart-Salmon!
Champagne is the art of living, the art of French gastronomy. There is a little ostentatious side of Champagne in the picture but it is a product of art and gastronomy. »
Do you have any particular future projects ?
« For now I remain Cellar Master, but I would like to start soon to hand over (step by step) to my successor. I should be retired but I would stay still consultant to the house wines to retain the signature / the Billecart-Salmon frame. »
Anecdotes side
« We did a lot of research on the properties / qualities of the liquor (wine + cane sugar). At first I did not think too that cold fermentation could have such an influence on the final quality of the champagne but the test results were incredible and convinced me! »
If one day you have the chance to visit the Billecart-Salmon cellars you will see at the entrance to the wine room a large statue of the God Bacchus. « It is thanks to him that we make good wines ! »(F. Domi)
Thanks to François Domi for his warm welcome.
Jonathan Choukroun Chicheportiche
Champagne Billecart-Salmon
40 rue Carnot,
51160 MAREUIL-SUR-AŸ (FRANCE)
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