HISTORY OF DOMAINE: Champagne Guy Larmandier was established in 1899 by the great-grandfather of Francois Larmandier, the son, and current collaborator of, Guy and Colette Larmandier. This family owned and operated domaine was originally known as Larmandier Pere & Fils. The mark "Guy Larmandier" was created in 1977. In 1982 we introduced the champagnes of Guy Larmandier to the USA and we have been working together in close association ever since.

COMPOSITION OF DOMAINE: The Larmandiers own 7.80 hectares. All vineyards are situated in the heart of the fabled Cote des Blancs, specifically within the Grand Cru villages of Cramant (3.4 hectares) and Chouilly (1.4 hectares) and the 95% rated 1er Cru village of Vertus (3 hectares). With the exception of one-half hectare in Vertus planted to Pinot Noir, all vineyards are dedicated to Chardonnay.

METHOD OF VINIFICATION: Harvest is done manually. The wines are fermented in cuve and separated parcel by parcel. A selection is made in the spring following harvest and then the wines are bottled in May to complete the champagne process. Four cuvees are traditionally prepared. The Cotes des Blancs 1er Cru (25,000 bottles per annum) is aged at least 3 years on the lees and is composed of wines harvested from Vertus, Cramant and Chouilly with a small percentage of Pinot Noir in the blend. The Cramant Grand Cru (25,000 bottles annual production) is the product of a special selection of sites within this top-rated village. Also aged at least 3 years on the lees, this cuvee is 100% Chardonnay. The Vertus Rose 1er Cru (4,000 bottles per annum) is a blend of the base cuvee of the Cotes des Blancs with the addition of approximately 12% Pinot Noir from Vertus. Finally, there is the Cramant Grand Cru "Cuvee Prestige", a vintage champagne produced in extremely limited quantities (approximately 3,000 bottles) in years of special merit (e.g. 1986, 1989.1990, 1994, 1995). Because we believe the quality of the fruit harvested by this extraordinary house is so superior, the cuvees shipped to the United States receive virtually no "dosage". Thus, the Guy Larmandier champagnes are exceedingly dry, delicate and fine. You will find an unparalleled purity of fruit and "terroir" in each cuvee. Note also that each bottle of Champagne Guy Larmandier shipped to the United States is disgorged on order.

News Flash - 2003 Larmandier Champagne Crop Affected by Spring Frost: A series of springtime frosts that struck Champagne the nights of April 7 - 11 have resulted in widespread injury to the nascent 2003 crop. The Chardonnay vines, more precocious than the Pinots, were most severely damaged as temperatures descended as low as 20° F along the Cote des Blancs. Consequently, the 2003 harvest will be smaller than usual.