Champagne Charles Collin

Champagne Charles Collin: Coopérative in Fontette

Champagne Charles Collin is a Coopérative from Fontette in the Aube department, 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, grower members have produced champagne together from their parcels; the production goal is 200,000 bottles annually.

History

The Coopérative began operations in Fontette in 1952. In 2012, the Maison celebrated its 60th anniversary, and in the same year brought the Cuvée La Belle Gabrielle to market in a new design. One 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 from Gault & Millau, a sign that the Coopérative has built not only volume over the years, but also qualitative consistency.

Vignoble & Terroir

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 publish exact percentage breakdowns. The vineyards are managed by the grower members of the cooperative, who contribute their grapes for joint processing.

Vinification

For the Cuvée La Belle Gabrielle, the Maison deliberately 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 states: "Le Champagne est un Art," with special attention given to aging. The classic Brut, for example, lies on the lees for at least three years, significantly longer than the legal minimum duration.

The Cuvées in Detail

Brut

the_champagne.guy 2025-04-29

1/7

Accessible, honest base champagne from the Côte des Bar. Apple, citrus, brioche, fresh and clearly structured, without frills. The Maison lets it rest on the lees for at least three years, which gives 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 testimony that the Coopérative also produces pure Chardonnay in great years. Available in 75-cl and 150-cl formats.

100% Chardonnay · Vintage 2012

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 succeeds.

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

My Tastings

• Brut · tasted on April 29, 2025
  Private sofa evening. Apple, citrus, clean brioche. Fresh, accessible, Côte des Bar without detours. 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.