Champagne Charles Collin

Champagne Charles Collin — Coopérative in Fontette

Champagne Charles Collin is a Coopérative from Fontette in the Aube département, founded in 1952 and named after one of its founders, Charles Collin. The cooperative is located in the Côte des Bar, where Pinot Noir traditionally carries the varietal weight. For around 70 years, member growers have jointly produced champagne from their parcels; the production target is 200,000 bottles annually.

History

The Coopérative began operations in Fontette in 1952. In 2012, the maison celebrated its 60th anniversary — the same year it launched the cuvée La Belle Gabrielle with a new design. A year later, in 2013, the cooperative set the goal of producing 200,000 bottles annually.

In 2025, La Belle Gabrielle won the Médaille d'Or at Gault & Millau, a sign that the Coopérative has built not only volume but also qualitative consistency over the years.

Vignoble & Soil

The vignoble is located in the Côte des Bar and is predominantly planted with Pinot Noir, complemented by Chardonnay. Pinot Noir is the emblematic cépage of this southern Champagne region; the maison does not disclose exact percentage distributions. The vineyards are managed by the cooperative's member growers, who contribute their grapes for joint processing.

Vinification

For the cuvée La Belle Gabrielle, the maison strategically uses 10 to 15 percent reserve wines that age in oak barrels and foudres. This brings depth and complements the freshness of the Chardonnay component. The vinification philosophy is: "Le Champagne est un Art" — special attention is given to aging. The classic Brut, for example, spends at least three years on lees, significantly longer than the legal minimum.

The Cuvées in Detail

Brut

Accessible, honest base champagne from the Côte des Bar. Apple, citrus, brioche — fresh and clearly structured, without frills. The maison ages it for at least three years on lees, giving it stability and a clean brioche note.

80% Pinot Noir, 20% Chardonnay · min. 36 months on lees · Côte des Bar

Cuvée Charles Blanc de Blancs 2012

Millésime Blanc de Blancs from an exceptional year. White fruit character — pear, apple — paired with the freshness of the 2012 vintage. The cuvée is testament to the fact that the Coopérative also produces varietal Chardonnay in great years. Available in 75cl and 150cl formats.

100% Chardonnay · 2012 vintage

Cuvée La Belle Gabrielle

First pressing, Chardonnay-focused, with 10 to 15 percent reserve wines from oak barrels and foudres. The wood brings nuts, dried fruits, gingerbread; fresh apricot and raisin provide fruit. The cuvée won gold at Gault & Millau in 2025 — an indication that the balance between freshness and complexity works.

66% Chardonnay, 34% Pinot Noir · premières presses · 10–15% reserve wine from wood

My Tastings

• Brut · tasted April 29, 2025
  Private evening at home. Apple, citrus, clean brioche. Fresh, accessible, Côte des Bar without fuss. Honestly made, three years on lees noticeable in the structure.

Facts

Sources for this portrait: Maison website, personal tastings, CRM data and cross-checks. Fields without sufficient verification remain open.