Canard-Duchêne
Canard-Duchêne is a Négociant-Manipulant maison founded in 1868 and based in Ludes on the Montagne de Reims. The maison has historic cellars and a visitor center. President is Stanislas Thiénot.
History
Canard-Duchêne was founded in 1868 and celebrated its centennial in 1968 with the creation of the Iconic line – a series of cuvées in a unique, iconic bottle, designed specifically for the restaurant trade. The Blanc de Blancs and Blanc de Noirs Iconic were born then and continue to define the maison's identity today.
In 2012, Canard-Duchêne started a Réserve perpétuelle from Pinot Noir – a solera system that today makes up 10–20% of the assemblage of the Blanc de Noirs Iconic and gives the cuvée additional depth and consistency.
Vignoble & Soil
The maison sources grapes from the chalky soils of the Côte des Blancs and the Montagne de Reims. The Chardonnay vineyards come mainly from the Côte des Blancs and the Vitryat, while the Pinot Noir parcels are located on selected terroirs of the Montagne de Reims. The chalky soils in these regions provide minerality and freshness that shape the maison's style.
Viticulture & Sustainability
Canard-Duchêne is committed to environmental protection and biodiversity. The maison cooperates with Reforest'action, a reforestation program, and has created its own limited edition for this cause. An organic cuvée (P181 Bio, Extra-Brut) is part of the Savoir-Faire line and signals the commitment to expanding sustainable winemaking practices.
Vinification
Vinification takes place mostly in stainless steel tanks. Malolactic fermentation is carried out, as with the Charles VII Blanc de Blancs. Since 2012, the maison has maintained a Réserve perpétuelle from Pinot Noir, which is continuously refreshed with new vintages and gives the Blanc de Noirs Iconic stability and complexity.
Dosage ranges from 0 g/l (Brut Nature) to 36 g/l (Demi-Sec) depending on the cuvée, with most Brut cuvées at around 7 g/l. The maison's philosophy focuses on fruity freshness, balance and drinking pleasure. Pinot Noir from the Montagne de Reims plays a central role. For the Iconic line, high proportions of Premier and Grand Cru sites are assembled.
The Cuvées in Detail
Blanc de Blancs Iconic
Created in 1968 for the centennial anniversary, this cuvée combines Chardonnay from the Côte des Blancs and the Vitryat. 30% reserve wines flow into the assemblage, minimum aging is three years. Aromas of crème pâtissière, lychee and pear define the character – elegant, creamy, with fine freshness.
100% Chardonnay · Brut · min. 36 months · Côte des Blancs & Vitryat
Blanc de Noirs Iconic
Manchmal braucht es gar nicht viel: Ein entspannter Abend, ein kleiner Hunger – und ein Kühlschrank, der gut vorbereitet ist. Gestern gab’s eine…
Heute schauen wir uns den P.181 von canardduchene an - ein Bio-Champagner, der zeigt, dass nachhaltiger Weinbau und großer Geschmack perfekt zusammenpassen. Canard-Duchêne, bere…
Heute schauen wir uns den P.181 von @canardduchene an - ein Bio-Champagner, der zeigt, dass nachhaltiger Weinbau und großer Geschmack perfekt…
Pure Pinot Noir from selected sites of the Montagne de Reims. The assemblage contains 50% reserve wines, of which 10–20% comes from the Réserve perpétuelle maintained since 2012. Minimum aging also three years. Notes of blood orange, cherry, mirabelle and candied fruits – powerful, but never heavy.
100% Pinot Noir · Brut · min. 36 months · Montagne de Reims
Rosé Iconic
A Rosé de Saignée, obtained from Pinot Noir through short maceration. The wine shows expressive and fruit-forward with notes of red berries. Part of the Iconic line, designed for spontaneous moments and aperitifs.
Pinot Noir · Rosé de Saignée · Brut · Montagne de Reims
Léonie Iconic Brut
Flagship of the Iconic line, embodies Canard-Duchêne's fresh, elegant style. Named after the maison's historic significance, this cuvée offers balance and finesse – an all-rounder for various occasions.
Assemblage · Brut
Charles VII Blanc de Blancs
Pure Chardonnay from the Côte des Blancs, vinified in stainless steel, malolactically fermented. Dosage is about 7 g/l. Soft, creamy, floral with citrus notes – from what I tasted, the most balanced cuvée of the Charles VII line.
100% Chardonnay · Brut · ca. 7 g/l · Côte des Blancs
Charles VII Grande Cuvée Brut
Assemblage of Pinot Noir, Meunier and Chardonnay. Aromas of fresh fruits and brioche, uncomplicated and versatile – a solid all-rounder.
PN · PM · CH · Brut
Grand Rosé
Entry-level rosé from the maison. Fruity with strawberry and raspberry, easily accessible, pleasantly fresh – for spontaneous moments without great complexity.
Rosé d'assemblage · Brut
Brut Rosé Essentiel
Rosé d'assemblage from Pinot Noir, Meunier and Chardonnay. Refined, with gourmand notes of red fruits – a step above the Grand Rosé in terms of structure.
PN · PM · CH · Rosé d'assemblage · Brut
Demi-Sec Essentiel
Gestern Abend habe ich den @champagnemoutard - Brut Nature geöffnet. Er ist frisch, klar, präzise, und als Brut Nature ohne Dosage bringt er eine…
Der Christbaum ist rausgeflogen, und so langsam kehrt der Alltag wieder ein. Nächste Woche geht es los – der Business-Alltag ruft. 💼 Aber bevor es…
Ein ganz normaler Abend, ein ganz unkomplizierter Champagner – heute habe ich den @canardduchene - Grand Rosé geöffnet. 🍾 Fruchtige Noten von…
50% Meunier, 35% Pinot Noir, 15% Chardonnay, over 10% reserve wines. Aging between two and three years. Dosage 36 g/l. Notes of peach and warm spices – for desserts or sweet aperitifs.
50% PM · 35% PN · 15% CH · Demi-Sec · 36 g/l · 24–36 months
P181 Bio
Organic certified champagne from the Savoir-Faire line, Extra-Brut dosage – for purists and fans of sustainable production.
Bio · Extra-Brut
Millésime 2015 & 2018
Vintage champagnes from the Savoir-Faire line that highlight special harvests. I tasted the 2018.
Brut · Vintage
V2010 Prestige
Prestige cuvée from the 2010 vintage, Extra-Brut dosage. Grapes from the best sites of the Montagne de Reims – intended for special occasions.
Extra-Brut · 2010 · Montagne de Reims
V2012 Prestige
Prestige cuvée from 2012, Brut Nature – completely undosed. For lovers of clear, unadorned vintage champagnes.
Brut Nature · 0 g/l · 2012
Editions & Collaborations
Canard-Duchêne regularly releases limited editions, including collaborations with Pangea (sustainable packaging in Furoshiki style) and the liqueur brand St-Germain. The Reforest'action Brut Réserve combines enjoyment with reforestation – trees are planted for each bottle sold.
My Tastings
Charles VII Blanc de Blancs · 2025-06-17
Soft, creamy, floral with subtle citrus notes. Stainless steel aging, malolactically fermented, dosage about 6–8 g/l. For me, the best balance of the Charles VII line – accessible, but with substance.Grand Rosé · 2025-01-19
Entry-level champagne with fruity notes of strawberries and raspberries. Pleasantly fresh, light, uncomplicated.Charles VII Grande Cuvée Brut · 2025-01-03
Assemblage of the three main varieties, notes of fresh fruits and brioche. All-rounder, solid, but without great depth.
Facts
| Official Name | Canard-Duchêne |
| Category | NM (Négociant-Manipulant) |
| Founded | 1868 |
| Address | 1, rue Edmond Canard, 51500 Ludes |
| Region | Montagne de Reims |
| President | Stanislas Thiénot |
| Soil | Chalk (Côte des Blancs, Montagne de Reims) |
| Vinification | Stainless steel, malolactic fermentation |
| Special Feature | Réserve perpétuelle since 2012 (Pinot Noir) |
| Dosage Range | 0–36 g/l (Brut Nature to Demi-Sec) |
| Website | canard-duchene.fr |
| @canardduchene | |
| Phone | +33 3 26 61 11 60 |
| visites@canard-duchene.fr |
Sources for this portrait: Maison website, personal tastings, CRM data and cross-checks. Fields without sufficient verification remain open.