Champagne Tarlant

… a family story since 1687.

For the inauguration of the new tab of my blog about “Champagne“, I would like to introduce to you a Champagne family House. For me, this House is synonymous of finesse, expertise, and tradition but mainly it is synonymous of high quality.

So! welcome to Champagne Tarlant family owned property!

The wine history of the family begins with Pierre Tarlant in 1687, in Gland (Aisne). At the time, the property did not produce Champagne, but wines called “still wines” (white or red). The arrival in the village of Oeuilly dates back to 1780 with Louis and Mary Magdalene Tarlant. Upon arrival in the village, the family bought a small plot of land to plant vines at the time… they were still producers of “quiet wine”, in other words, white and red wine, as mentioned.

In order to see the first Champagne, the family had to wait to the end of the first World War and the return of the soldier Louis who during the harvest of 1927, reserved a share of crops for developing Champagne Tarlant ( and also has now a wine named after him). Champagne was made from different varieties of those who today are mainly used in Champagne. Indeed, it was a Champagne with Pinot Blanc, Petit Meslier and Pinot Meunier.

From left to right: Jean-Marie, Benoit, Melanie, Miss VickyWine

Currently the property is managed by Jean-Mary (father), Benoit (the son) and Melanie (daughter) Tarlant. They have combined traditions (vinification, maceration, grapes) and modernity (pressing and cold fermentation, stainless steel vats).
Indeed, pressing and fermentation are carried out by plot to keep intact the contributions of the various agreements soil / varieties.

What distinguishes Champagne Tarlant of other champagnes?

What makes the exceptionality of this property is its wide variety of sub-soil, and raw patches. Combining these with the six grape varieties present on the property, makes us understand in a better way how Tarlant offers a wide range of champagne with aromas very different from each other.

What is the guideline of champagnes Tarlant?

The expression of the soil, the presence of mature fruits, the finesse, and the delicacy of the bubbles in the mouth. An explosive taste of Champagne with very little acidity …. just enough to lead the tasting.
Some features:

Extends over 14 hectares
4 different “crus”
Grape varieties: Top 3 are: Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay. Then other varieties are present in more anecdotal: Arbanne, Pinot Blanc, Petit Meslier
Soil: chalk, limestone, clay and limestone
Type agriculture reasoned (grassing, the use of natural teas such nettles, rosemary, Bordeaux mixture …. etc.)
Some plots (Oeuilly) benefit from the influences of the Marne (river). That is to say a certain coolness in summer allowing, in summer, the fruit to grow in good conditions and be protected from the heat stroke.
Stirring of the barrels
Without malolactic fermentation
Product 5 champagnes: Champagne Tarlant Zero Brut Nature (1/3 Pinot Noir, 1/3 Pinot Meunier and 1/3 Chardonnay); Champagne Tarlant Rosé Zero Brut Nature (85% Chardonnay, 15% Pinot Noir) Champagne Tarlant Cuvée Louis (50% Chardonnay, 50% Pinot Noir), Champagne Tarlant La Vigne d’Or (100% Pinot Meunier), Champagne Tarlant La Vigne Royale (100% Pinot Noir)
Harvested by hand in order to optimize the quality and maturity of the grapes harvested.

Side story:

Did you know that there has been a revolution in France in 1911? A Champagne revolution! …. a revolution that rose to stop some practices where traders wanted to buy products at lower and lower prices, while buying fewer champagne, …. and importing more and more wine not from the Champagne growers in the region. A good numer of wineries, champagne houses and merchants’ houses were destroyed.
But this “revolution Champagne” also had another objective: to recognize the Champagne appellation (AOC). Only thing that was obtained in 1927. (Thanks to Jean-Mary for this story)