Champagne Roger-Constant Lemaire

Champagne Roger-Constant Lemaire: An exceptional family house in Villers-sous-Châtillon, the historic birthplace of champagne

In the heart of the Marne Valley, in Villers-sous-Châtillon, an emblematic village of Champagne and the spiritual birthplace of champagne, the Roger-Constant Lemaire house has perpetuated for several generations a singular vision of wine: producing champagnes with character, precision, elegance, and a deep fidelity to their terroir.

The family story begins in 1860, when the Lemaire family was already cultivating vines on these historic lands. In 1945, Roger-Constant Lemaire gave new dimension to this heritage by founding the house that still bears his name today. His ambition was clear: to craft champagnes in which each cuvée expresses the identity of the place, the purity of the fruit, and the demands of time.

Since then, five generations have followed one another with the same conviction: great champagne is born from precise work, deep respect for nature, and uncompromising fidelity to Champagne traditions.

A family history rooted in the Champagne terroir

Désiré Lemaire, the first to believe in Villers-sous-Châtillon

A gardener, poet, and man of the land, Désiré Lemaire is at the origin of the adventure. He acquired the first plots and laid the foundations of a family estate that would continue to grow.

Maurice Lemaire, the builder

His son Maurice chose to become a winegrower. He expanded the estate, acquired new parcels, and devoted his energy to producing high-quality grapes, strengthening the work begun by his father.

Roger-Constant Lemaire, the visionary founder

The third generation marked a decisive turning point. Trained for nine years at Moët & Chandon, Roger-Constant Lemaire acquired rare technical expertise, further enriched through collaboration with a renowned oenologist.

In 1945, he decided to create his own house and produce his first champagnes. A pioneer, he quickly chose to diversify his cuvées and assert a strong house identity based on precision, freshness, and the personality of the wines.

Gilles Tournant and Brigitte Lemaire, the affirmation of a style

With the fourth generation, Brigitte Lemaire, daughter of Roger-Constant, and Gilles Tournant, himself from a family of winegrowers, expanded the estate to 12 hectares.

From the 2000s onwards, Gilles introduced a strong technical orientation: eliminating malolactic fermentation. This rare choice in Champagne became the house signature and deeply shaped the style of its cuvées.

Guillaume and Sébastien Tournant-Lemaire, continuity and openness

Today, the fifth generation carries on the story. Guillaume, a winegrower since 2012, ensures the continuity of family know-how and vineyard work. His brother Sébastien, export director and co-manager, contributes to the house’s international reach.

Together, they embody a valuable balance between tradition, modernity, and openness to the world.

A rare winemaking method in Champagne

The uniqueness of Champagne Roger-Constant Lemaire lies in a strong technical choice: the complete absence of malolactic fermentation.

While many houses use this fermentation to soften wines, the Roger-Constant Lemaire house has chosen the opposite approach for over twenty years. This deliberate choice preserves:

the natural acidity of the grapes
the original freshness of the fruit
mineral tension
the aromatic purity of the champagnes

This approach requires greater rigor and longer aging in the cellar, but results in livelier, more elegant champagnes with superior aging potential.

This method is now the true stylistic signature of the house.

Champagne production according to Roger-Constant Lemaire

Exclusively manual harvesting: Grapes are harvested by hand, with particular attention paid to preserving the integrity of the bunches.

Alcoholic fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks : After pressing, the juices ferment in stainless steel tanks to reveal the identity of each wine.

No malolactic fermentation: This method preserves the wines’ liveliness and freshness.

Bottling (tirage): In the spring following harvest, the wines are bottled with the liqueur de tirage to trigger the second fermentation.

Extended cellar aging: Bottles are aged for several years in the house cellars to develop finesse, depth, and aromatic complexity.

Disgorgement and dosage: The final step before release, allowing adjustment of the champagne’s final balance.

Fresher, more mineral champagnes built for aging

Thanks to this no-malolactic vinification, Roger-Constant Lemaire champagnes offer a clearly recognizable style:

brilliant freshness
great aromatic precision
a mineral expression of the terroir
remarkable aging potential in oak barrels for the vintage wines

These champagnes can evolve over several years, even decades depending on the cuvées.

A strong environmental commitment

The house practices responsible viticulture, respectful of the environment and local biodiversity.

The estate is certified: High Environmental Value Level 3 (HVE 3) and Sustainable Viticulture in Champagne (VDC).

The vines are cultivated without herbicides, insecticides, or acaricides in order to preserve soil life and the natural balance of the vineyard.

The cuvées of Champagne Roger-Constant Lemaire

Sélect Réserve: 100% Meunier – Brut – minimum 4 years aging

Zéro Dosage: 100% Meunier – Brut Nature – minimum 4 years aging

Cuvée Trianon: 60% Pinot Noir – 40% Chardonnay – Brut – minimum 4 years aging

Trianon 66: 60% Pinot Noir – 40% Chardonnay – Brut – minimum 4 years aging + 1 year after disgorgement

Les Hautes-Prières: 100% Chardonnay – Brut – minimum 8 years aging

Rosé de Saignée: 50% Pinot Noir – 50% Meunier – Brut – minimum 4 years aging

The luxury range

Cuvée Collection Roger-Constant Lemaire: 1/3 Pinot Noir – 1/3 Meunier – 1/3 Chardonnay – Brut – minimum 12 years aging

Blanc de Blancs Luxe: 100% Chardonnay – Extra Brut – minimum 10 years aging

A singular house in Villers-sous-Châtillon

In a Champagne world sometimes dominated by uniformity, Champagne Roger-Constant Lemaire defends a personal path: preserved freshness, long aging, respect for terroir, and a clear tasting signature.

A family house, champagnes without malolactic fermentation, strong environmental commitment, and extended aging all contribute to crafting elegant and deeply authentic cuvées.

Why are Roger-Constant Lemaire champagnes so different ?

Roger-Constant Lemaire champagnes stand out due to a rare technical choice: the absence of malolactic fermentation. This method preserves greater freshness, tension, and minerality in the wines.

Combined with long cellar aging and environmentally respectful viticulture, it results in precise, vibrant champagnes with strong aging potential.