Michel Mailliard
Mont Vergon 1er Cru Vintage Brut – 2006
Region: France - Champagne
Michel Mailliard
Vertus, the village in Champagne’s famous Côte des Blancs, has been the home of the Mailliard family since 1894 where they have been making champagne for four generations.
In recent years, the third and fourth generations, father and son Michel and Gregory, took care of the 23-hectare (55 acre) family vineyard. Today the fourth generation is fully at the helm with Gregory and his sister Alexia working together to manage the vineyards and the harvest. They acquired their knowledge of the craft of champagne making from their father standing side-by-side with him to learn the Mailliard way.
In addition to being a vigneron and Champagne maker, Michel Mailliard was an innovator, entrepreneur, and leader with a touch of politician. Among the champagne producers of Vertus, he was a very prominent figure. Decades ago, Michel saw many of his neighbors with small vineyard plots of very good quality grapes in need of a better place to produce their champagnes. So, he created one of the first “custom crush facilities” in champagne. These types of facilities are now commonplace in many wine regions around the world, helping artisan producers and garagists. Over time, the small start-up grew to house the current state-of-the-art champagne producing equipment and temperature-controlled storage facilities. Each vigneron controls the production of their respective champagne separately from the other producers. This facility has allowed even the smallest producers to make their own style of champagne.
Michel Mailliard champagnes are estate grown with half of the vineyard plots located in Vertus and the surrounding area. The vineyards are mostly planted to Chardonnay. All of their champagnes are made at the custom crush facility owned by the family. The winemaking equipment is used only for the production of Michel Mailliard. Because there are others making wine at their custom crush facility, the wines must be labeled wRC, Récoltant-Coopérateur (wine purchased back from the group facility).
The objective of Champagne Michel Mailliard is to make champagnes that reflect the terroir and house style of the family.
Grapes / Soils
| Chardonnay | Calcareous & chalk | 55 ha |
The Wine
Vineyard Profile
- The vineyard of Champagne Michel Mailliard is in the department Marne, in the heart of the Côte des Blancs, the wine area that stretches over some 20 km to the south, south-east from Epernay. The area is named after the color of Chardonnay, the grape planted on some 95% of the soil. The Champagnes made with Chardonnay are called Blanc de Blancs.
- If, according to the experts, the Côte des Blancs gives way to the best champagnes, this is largely due to its soil, as it lays on a chalk outcrop, unlike other parts of the vineyard where the chalk is more deeply buried.
Winemaker's Notes
- Michel Mailliard is a complex man. Besides being a vigneron and champagne maker, he is an innovator, entrepreneur, and leader with a touch of politician. While his name is unknown in America, among the champagne producers of Vertus, he is a very prominent figure. Decades ago Michel saw many of his neighbors with small vineyard plots of very good quality grapes in need of a better place to produce their champagnes. So, he created one of the first in champagne of what we call today custom crush facilities. These types of facilities are now common place in many wine regions around the world, helping artisan producers and garagists. Over time, the small start-up grew to house the current state-of-the-art champagne producing equipment and perfect storage facilities.
- Each vigneron controls the production of his/her champagne separately from the other producers. It has allowed even the smallest of champagne producers to make their own style of champagne.
- A number of years ago Michel turned his focus to further expanding and developing his family vineyards and brand Champagne Michel Mailliard. The objective of the House is to grow and create champagnes that reflect the vision and sensory cues that have been passed on from father to son. Until recently, Champagne Michel Mailliard was only available in France, sold mostly to private customers and poured in restaurants in Paris. Michel and his son, Gregory, are dedicated to presenting to the world their highly precise expressions of Champagne.
- Gregory manages the vineyards and the harvest. He stands side-by-side with his father learning the craft of champagne making – the Mailliard way.
- The Michel Mailliard house flagship cuvée from a single plot (vineyard). Yellow color with golden reflections. Loaded with complexity, subtlety and vivacity. Aromas of the sweetness of citrus, lemon and pear. The palate is full of of citrus, baked lemon and pear. A lingering, satisfying finish.
Wine Summary
- Made from Chardonnay grapes.
- Grown on soils of Calcareous & chalk.
- Fermented in stainless steel tanks.
- Aged in bottle prior to disgorgement.
- Aged for 7 years.
Technical Information
- 100% Chardonnay (Blanc de Blancs)
- Brut – Residual sugar 9.2 g/L
- Alcohol level: 12.2 %
- From a single vineyard plot and an exceptional year.
General Info
| Country | France |
| Region | Champagne |
| Appellation(s) | Côte des Blancs |
| Proprietors | Gregory & Alexia Mailliard |
| Founded | 1894 |
| Winemaker | Alexia Mailliard |
| Annual Production | 3,000 9L cases |
| Farming (Sustainable, organic, biodynamic) | Sustainable |