Why it matters
The producer
Champagne A. Margaine was founded in 1910 and produces 5,800 cases annually. Mathilde Margaine works with her father in all aspects of the domaine, from the vineyards to the winery.
Place and vineyards
Where the wines begin
Villers-Marmery is a Premier Cru village in the Montagne de Reims, a Champagne classification applied to villages rather than individual parcels. It is an island of Chardonnay in a sea of Pinot Noir, an unusual planting pattern in a part of Champagne where Pinot Noir typically dominates. Margaine's Chardonnay clone is specific to Villers-Marmery and cannot be found in other parts of Champagne. Its parcels average about 32 years old. Margaine also has a small parcel of Pinot Noir in Verzy.
Wines to know
The range in view
The range includes Le Brut, Le Rosé and Special Club. Le Brut is 90% Chardonnay and 10% Pinot Noir. Le Rosé is 80% Chardonnay and 20% Pinot Noir. Special Club has a long, dynamic palate with prominent lemony acidity in the finish.