Why it matters
The producer
Pol Roger made his first sale of wine in January 1849. The family settled in Épernay in 1851, and descendants of the founder still own and run the maison. By 1855, Pol Roger was favouring brut Champagne in response to English preferences.
The range moves from a consistent non-vintage blend to vintage Champagnes and Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill. The house combines Champagne's three principal grapes across bottles that vary in cru selection, vintage and release timing.
Place and vineyards
Where the wines begin
Pol Roger's home is 1 rue Winston Churchill in Épernay. Its Champagne geography extends beyond the town: Brut Réserve draws from multiple crus, and Brut Vintage 2018 comes from vineyards in Montagne de Reims and Côte des Blancs.
A cru is a recognised Champagne vineyard area, so a multi-cru blend gathers fruit from more than one part of the region. The house is tied to an Épernay address, not to a named parcel or soil profile.
Wines to know
The range in view
Brut Réserve is the house's consistent non-vintage Champagne. It combines equal parts of Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay from 30 crus, with 25% reserve wines. Reserve wines come from earlier harvests and help a non-vintage cuvée retain a consistent style from year to year. The nose brings pear, mango, honeysuckle, white jasmine, vanilla and brioche. The palate is lively and refreshing, with mouth-watering acidity, delicate mousse and mineral texture, finishing with tart blossom honey.
Brut Vintage 2018 is made from 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay from 20 Grand and Premier Cru vineyards in the Montagne de Reims and Côte des Blancs. It was produced in limited quantities and aged in the house's deep cellars before disgorgement and release. Disgorgement removes the yeast sediment left by bottle fermentation before the wine is closed for sale.