HISTORY OF DOMAINE: Champagne Roger Coulon was founded in 1806. Eric and Isabelle Coulon represent the eighth generation of winemakers for this domaine, situated in the town of Vrigny, 10 km southwest of Reims on the western edge of the Montagne de Reims.

COMPOSITION OF DOMAINE: The 10 hectare estate spreads over 5 villages in the Montagne de Reims and is composed of 70 separate parcels, all classified as Premier Cru. The mid-slope vineyards are oriented southeast and benefit from a soil composition rich in chalk and clay. The domaine is planted to 40% Pinot Meunier, 30% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay, and the vines have an average age of 38 years - very high for the region. The Coulons use cuttings, rather than cloning, to regenerate their vines, thus preserving their original character.

METHOD OF VINIFICATION: The Coulons' careful production methods produce wines of great typicity and finesse. They prune and debud extensively, resulting in grapes with a maximum concentration of flavor, very expressive of their terroir. Natural production methods are employed, from planting grass between the rows to prevent erosion to ploughing to eliminate the need for herbicides. The harvest is done manually. Each parcel and each grape variety is pressed separately and kept in separate vats. The majority is held in temperature-regulated stainless steel vats, but the Chardonnay must, as well as the special reserve wine, is held in small oak barrels for a minimum of 7 months. The first fermentation is done using wild yeasts, rarely employed in this region, where winemakers tend to favor consistency in flavor, rather than originality. The Coulons believe that wild yeasts not only impart their own subtleties to the wine, but also allow the terroir to express itself more fully. The wines undergo malolactic fermentation only in years that necessitate it. They are then left on their lees for 7 months before blending, to develop body and flavor. In the spring, the various vats are blended to produce the house's four cuvées, which are then aged for a minimum of three years, well above the legal minimum of 15 months.

The Brut Tradition 1er Cru is made from 50% Pinot Meunier, 25% Pinot Noir and 25% Chardonnay, taken from parcels in Vrigny and Coulommes la Montagne. It receives a dosage of 10 grams/liter and is aged for three years before release.

The Brut Grand Réserve 1er Cru is composed of 33% Pinot Meunier, 33% Pinot Noir and 33% Chardonnay from parcels in Vrigny and Pargny les Reims. It has a slightly lower dosage and is aged for five years before release.

The Brut Millésime 2000 consists of 50% Pinot Meunier and 50% Chardonnay, taken principally from Vrigny and Coulommes la Montagne. Made from grapes of exceptional maturity, it received a very low dosage and has been aged for five years before release.

The Cuvée Prestige - Les Champs de Vallier is made from 80% Chardonnay and 20% Pinot Noir. It bears the name of the lieu-dit "Les Champs de Vallier", an especially privileged site in the village of Vrigny. The Chardonnay in this bottling spends a full year in small oak barrels before blending. It receives a dosage of 7 grams/liter and benefits from ten years of aging before release.