Why it matters
The producer
Alain Thiénot spent nearly 20 years as a broker selecting grapes across Champagne's slopes before founding the house. His father directed Champagne Irroy, and his grandfather was a glassmaker who manufactured champagne bottles. Champagne Thiénot holds 30 hectares of vineyards, and those holdings provide more than half of the house's grape requirements.
Place and vineyards
Where the wines begin
Thiénot's holdings include grand crus at Aÿ and in the Côte des Blancs, plus premier crus at Dizy and Cumières. In Champagne, grand cru and premier cru are vineyard classifications, with grand cru above premier cru. The vineyards therefore cover several classified parts of the region.
Wines to know
The range in view
The core range includes Brut, Blanc de Blancs, Brut Rosé and Vintage 2015. Thiénot Brut (Origine) is a non vintage cuvée composed of 50% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir and 10% Meunier. Blanc de Blancs is a Champagne category made from white grapes, while Brut Rosé is a rosé style and Vintage 2015 carries a single harvest year.