Why it matters
The producer
Bruno Roulot makes grower Champagne as an independent family operation in La Chapelle-Monthodon, in the Marne Valley. Grower Champagne means a producer farms its own vines and makes Champagne under its own name. Bruno and Benoît Roulot run the house.
The family's first vineyard plantings date to 1962. Bruno established the independent brand under his own name in 1981. His son Benoît joined as a partner in 2013. The vineyard spans 6 hectares.
Place and vineyards
Where the wines begin
The Marne Valley is a preferred terroir for Pinot Meunier. At La Chapelle-Monthodon, the vineyard is 80% Pinot Meunier and 20% Chardonnay.
Pinot Meunier generally gives sparkling wine a rounder fruit profile, while Chardonnay contributes acidity and citrus. The planting puts Meunier first and Chardonnay second.
Wines to know
The range in view
Brut Tradition is the named Champagne without a vintage year. A cuvée called Cuvée Tradition is composed of 90% Pinot Meunier and 10% Chardonnay; its relationship to Brut Tradition is not established.
Other named wines include Cuvée Prestige and Vintage 2004. Cuvée Prestige uses equal parts Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier, with the Chardonnay aged in tank and the Pinot Meunier in foudre, a large wooden vessel. Tank is a neutral vessel; foudre allows slower oxygen exchange and broader texture.