Champagne Monmarthe Secret de Famille Brut Premier Cru NV (Half Bottle 375mL)

A stone’s throw from the village of Chigny-les-Roses, Ludes is a beautiful Champagne village set amongst the rolling hills of the northern edge of the Montagne de Reims. The Monmarthe family has owned agricultural lands and vineyards in Ludes throughout the family’s recorded history, since the 1700s. The Champagne house was founded in 1930 by Ernest Monmarthe, and the family has farmed this plot in Ludes ever since, fine-tuning their production and quality over the past six generations. Now, with Gauthier Monmarthe taking the lead on winemaking – this estate is beginning to draw attention here in the USA as a top-notch Grower Producer with an eternally bright future!

We discovered the wines of Champagne Monmarthe at Paris’ VinExpo a few seasons back, and a visit to the winery made us love these incredible wines even more. Gauthier Monmarthe, the seventh-generation vigneron, led us through their cellar, and we wrapped up in their salon tasting through their entire portfolio. His mom, Sandrine, made a delightful snack of oven-fresh gougeres, and man, what a day! 

This “Secret de Famille” bottling blends 40% Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier each, plus 20% Chardonnay, combining the wine from three successful vintages to create depth and intrigue. The aromas rush forth with lemon blossom, Fuji apple, honey, lime zest, and freshly baked croissants, as the palate adds more richness and layers of white peaches, honey roasted peanuts, apple turnover, and wet river stones. It’s soft yet crisp, ripe yet mineral-driven, bright yet elegant – and the perfect little snack bottle to have in your pocket for pre-dinner, post-dinner, or any other time you need a pick-me-up! These are so handy to have around, so make sure to pick up a few to last you a while!