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Champagne André Chemin
Champagne André Chemin, Montagne de Reims in Sacy: pinot noir-led, HVE, direct from the growers since 1948...
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Champagne André Chemin: three generations of growers in Sacy, Petite Montagne de Reims
Champagne André Chemin - Sacy, Montagne de Reims
Champagne André Chemin is a family grower estate based in Sacy, in the heart of the Petite Montagne de Reims (Marne). Founded in 1948, it is now led by the third generation, Sébastian and Eva, and grows Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay.
In Sacy, on the slopes of the Petite Montagne de Reims, the Chemin family has been making champagne since 1948. Three generations, one motto: always stay one step ahead. Characterful cuvées, where Pinot Noir reigns supreme, available direct from the grower on Avenue des Vins.
Three generations of growers since 1948
It all began in 1948, in Sacy, with André and Micheline Chemin, two young grower-farmers with a forward-thinking vision: at the time, few growers ventured into making their own champagne. A shrewd manager, André joined the newly created cooperative of the neighbouring village of Écueil for pressing and for pooling equipment. He is the one who laid the foundations of the estate and of its style.
In the 1970s, Jean-Luc, the eldest son of André and Micheline, took over the estate. Faithful to his father's choices yet just as inventive, he introduced grass cover in his plots as early as 1988 and expanded the buildings, making his own breeze blocks with André. A knack for resourcefulness and a search for new methods became a hallmark.
Today, Sébastian and Eva are at the helm. Rigorous and determined, this curious duo drives a resolutely international estate, without ever losing the down-to-earth spirit of the early days. André still keeps a watchful eye, from a distance, on the evolution he set in motion.
The spirit of the house
For the Chemin family, two watchwords: stability and change. Keep what works while constantly questioning it, stay in control of every step and anticipate the next one. Manual work and self-reliance are at the heart of this demanding approach, in the vines as in the cellar.
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Sacy, in the heart of the Petite Montagne de Reims
The vineyard is led by the village of Sacy, complemented by a few neighbouring villages that bring variety and complementarity, in the heart of the Petite Montagne de Reims. The soils are varied: sand on the plain, clay on the mid-slope and heavier, clay-rich soils on the upper hillsides.
Set between 89 and 259 metres of altitude, this terroir enjoys about 1,900 hours of sunshine a year and an average temperature of 10.9 °C, conditions suited to ripe, balanced grapes.
Sacy - Petite Montagne de Reims
AOC Champagne - Montagne de Reims (Marne)
A hillside terroir where Pinot Noir shows power and structure, supported by Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier.
In the cellar: time as an ally
In the Petite Montagne de Reims, Pinot Noir comes into its own: it asserts a style full of power and structure, without losing elegance and finesse. Chardonnay, highly expressive on this terroir, plays fully on contrast.
Champagne according to Sébastian is a matter of just-in-time: each cuvée is released at the right moment, in the freshness of youth for some, at the peak of maturity for others. Patience and cellar time give rise to energetic, precise wines.
The range of André Chemin champagnes
Characterful cuvées, where Pinot Noir dominates, in blends as well as single-varietal wines.
Lightbreaker - Brut
Blend: 80% Pinot Noir, 20% Chardonnay - dosage 3 g/L
The estate's flagship blend: a ray of purity and lightness cutting through an assertive character. The Chemin family's signature, between power and finesse.
Little Dark Mountain - Brut
100% Pinot Noir - dosage 3 g/L
Born of the terroirs of Sacy and Écueil, this uncompromising cuvée showcases Pinot Noir in all its aromatic power. A characterful blanc de noirs.
Little Dark Mountain - Zero Dosage
100% Pinot Noir - dosage 0 g/L
A zero-dosage blanc de noirs of great purity: bold, direct and unadorned, for lovers of brut nature champagnes.
Lightbreaker - Rosé
74% Pinot Noir, 18% Chardonnay, 8% Coteaux Champenois - dosage 3 g/L
The quintessence of Pinot Noir vinified in two ways, a rosé with soft hues and delicate red-fruit aromas.
About Time'12 - Brut
Vintage 2012 - 100% Chardonnay - dosage 3 g/L
A vintage blanc de blancs, the pure expression of a single year, revealed by a long time in the cellar.
The house also offers the Brut Millésime 2012 (2/3 Pinot Noir, 1/3 Chardonnay), Stone-Cold'18 (67% Pinot Noir, 33% Chardonnay), Never Fade (58% Pinot Noir, 42% Chardonnay) and the limited-edition Entre Terre & Mer gift box. A cuvée dedicated to Pinot Meunier, born in the Grands Prés plot, is also maturing in the cellar.
Grower in Sacy, Petite Montagne de Reims - direct, careful delivery
Why choose Champagne André Chemin?
A grower champagne. A family estate that grows its own vines and makes its own cuvées in Sacy, since 1948.
Pinot Noir in majesty. A powerful, structured style, the signature of the Petite Montagne de Reims, without losing finesse.
A sustainable approach. Long-standing grass cover, herbicides and insecticides banned since 2010, High Environmental Value.
A characterful range. From the brut blend to the zero-dosage blanc de noirs, taking in rosé and vintage cuvées.
Direct from the grower. On Avenue des Vins, you order without an intermediary, as close as possible to the cellar-door price, with careful delivery across France and Europe.
Frequently asked questions about Champagne André Chemin
Where is Champagne André Chemin located ?
Champagne André Chemin is based in Sacy (51500), in the Marne, in the heart of the Petite Montagne de Reims. This family grower estate tends its vines on the slopes of this sector of the Montagne de Reims, led by Sacy and a few neighbouring villages. The estate's address is 3 rue de Châtillon, in Sacy. Here, Pinot Noir-dominant champagnes are made and sold through a short supply chain.
Who are the growers behind Champagne André Chemin ?
Champagne André Chemin is a three-generation family story. André and Micheline Chemin founded the estate in Sacy in 1948. In the 1970s, their eldest son Jean-Luc took over and introduced grass cover as early as 1988. Today, Sébastian and Eva run the estate, with an international outlook, while André still keeps a watchful eye on the evolution of the house he founded.
What grape varieties does Champagne André Chemin use ?
The estate grows the three great Champagne grapes: Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay. Pinot Noir is the estate's leading grape, giving powerful, structured champagnes. Chardonnay brings finesse, elegance and contrast, while Pinot Meunier, long discreet, is taking on a growing role, with a dedicated cuvée in preparation. This trio reflects the character of the Petite Montagne de Reims terroir.
What are the cuvées of Champagne André Chemin ?
The range brings together several characterful cuvées. Lightbreaker Brut is the flagship blend (Pinot Noir and Chardonnay). Little Dark Mountain showcases Pinot Noir as a blanc de noirs, in brut or zero dosage. Lightbreaker Rosé plays on red fruits, while About Time'12 is a vintage blanc de blancs. There are also the Brut Millésime 2012, Stone-Cold'18, Never Fade and the limited-edition Entre Terre & Mer gift box.
What is the Petite Montagne de Reims ?
The Petite Montagne de Reims is a sector of the Montagne de Reims vineyard, in Champagne, around villages such as Sacy and Écueil. It is sometimes contrasted with the Grande Montagne de Reims, further south, but its terroirs are highly expressive. Pinot Noir reveals a powerful, structured style here, and Chardonnay great finesse. It is the birthplace of the André Chemin champagnes.
What is the difference between a brut and a zero-dosage champagne ?
The difference lies in the dosage, the sugar added after disgorgement. A brut champagne contains up to 12 g of sugar per litre; at André Chemin, the bruts are dosed at just 3 g/L. A zero-dosage champagne (or brut nature) receives no added sugar: this is the case of Little Dark Mountain Zero Dosage, tauter, purer and more direct. Zero dosage highlights the fruit and the terroir, without any sweet roundness.
What is a blanc de noirs ?
A blanc de noirs is a white champagne made only from black grapes, in Champagne Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. The colourless juice gives a sparkling white wine that is often more vinous and structured than a blanc de blancs (100% Chardonnay). At André Chemin, the Little Dark Mountain cuvée, 100% Pinot Noir, is a fine example: it expresses all the power of the estate's leading grape.
At what temperature should André Chemin champagne be served ?
Serve André Chemin champagne well chilled, at around 8 to 10 °C, in a reasonably wide glass rather than a narrow flute, to let the aromas open up. Avoid over-chilling, which would mute the bouquet. The more structured, Pinot Noir-dominant cuvées, such as the blancs de noirs and the vintages, benefit from being served slightly less cold (around 10 °C) to reveal their depth.
How long can a bottle of champagne be kept ?
A non-vintage brut champagne generally keeps for a few years after purchase, while a vintage champagne, such as About Time'12 or the Brut Millésime 2012, can age for around ten years or more. Store the bottles lying down, away from light and temperature swings, in a cool place at around 10 to 12 °C. The structured, Pinot Noir-dominant cuvées are especially suited to cellaring.
What food pairs with André Chemin champagnes ?
André Chemin champagnes work throughout a meal. A brut blend such as Lightbreaker is perfect as an aperitif and with fish or seafood. The more powerful Little Dark Mountain blancs de noirs readily accompany white meat, poultry or cheese. Lightbreaker Rosé pairs with red fruits and lightly sweet desserts. Serve these champagnes at around 8 to 10 °C.
Where can I buy André Chemin champagnes directly ?
You can buy André Chemin champagnes direct from the grower on Avenue des Vins, without an intermediary and as close as possible to the cellar-door price. The marketplace ensures careful delivery across France and throughout Europe. There you will find the estate's cuvées, from the Lightbreaker blend to the Little Dark Mountain blancs de noirs. Buying through this short circuit guarantees the origin and traceability of the bottles.
Grower in Sacy, Petite Montagne de Reims - direct sales
Champagne André Chemin - a family grower estate in Sacy (51500), in the heart of the Petite Montagne de Reims (Marne). Three generations since 1948.
Lightbreaker, Little Dark Mountain, About Time cuvées - Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier - direct from the grower.