Champagne Charles de Cazanove
Champagne Charles de Cazanove is a Négoce-Maison based in Reims, founded in 1811 by Charles Gabriel de Cazanove in Avize on the Côte des Blancs. Since 2004, the house has been owned by the Rapeneau family, who have themselves been rooted in Champagne since 1901. The Maison is now led by Jean Rémy Rapeneau.
The Maison sources grapes primarily from the Montagne de Reims and operates a 35-hectare estate vignoble that is managed exclusively for Charles de Cazanove and has been HVE-certified since 2021.
History
Charles Gabriel de Cazanove was just 24 years old when he founded the Maison in Avize in 1811 — at a time when the Côte des Blancs had not yet gained its current reputation as a Chardonnay stronghold. The house quickly established itself: in 1902, King Edward VII had champagne from Charles de Cazanove imported with a personal label for the royal court.
World War I hit the family hard: Roger and Hubert de Cazanove were killed in 1914. In 1954, Amaury de Cazanove took over the presidency, but for the first time external investors participated in the capital — a sign that family continuity was becoming fragile.
2004 marked a new beginning: the Rapeneau family, active in Champagne since 1901, acquired the Maison and re-anchored it in Reims. With the takeover came stability, supported by their own, now HVE-certified vignoble.
Vignoble & Soil
Charles de Cazanove manages 35 hectares of its own vineyard land, owned by the Rapeneau family and working exclusively for the house. The grapes come from twelve villages in the Montagne de Reims, including Chamery, Ecueil, Champillon, Dizy, Ambonnay, Bouzy, Louvois, Sermiers, Mutigny, Taissy, Fontaine-sur-Ay and Tauxières.
No verified data is available on the exact grape variety distribution in the estate vignoble; however, the assemblages of the cuvées suggest that Pinot Noir plays a leading role, followed by Meunier and Chardonnay. The soil signatures of the Montagne de Reims — chalk limestone with varying topsoil layers — shape the character of the wines.
Viticulture & Sustainability
The family vignoble received HVE certification (Haute Valeur Environnementale) in 2021, France's state label for high-level environmentally sustainable viticulture. This commits Charles de Cazanove to biodiversity, reduced pesticide use, and protection of soil and water.
Additionally, the Maison carries an organic cuvée in its range — the Tradition Père & Fils Brut Bio made from 100% Meunier, a sign that organic parcels are being worked within the conventional vignoble as well.
Vinification
Charles de Cazanove vinifies parcel- and cru-specifically in stainless steel tanks. Aging time in the chalk cellars ranges from 15 to 24 months depending on the cuvée. The Maison follows an assemblage philosophy that revolves around Pinot Noir and relies on careful selection of crus.
The dosage spectrum ranges from Brut Nature (0 g/l) to Sweet (60 g/l) — the Maison thus covers almost all taste preferences. The style is described internally as "champagnes dans l'air du temps," wines that focus on contemporary drinking pleasure and modernity without sacrificing quality.
The Cuvées in Detail
Tête de Cuvée Brut
The flagship cuvée of the Maison, assembled from 40% Pinot Noir, 40% Meunier and 20% Chardonnay. The house speaks of balance between roundness, freshness and finesse; citrus aromas lead the nose. Dosed with 9.5 g/l.
40% Pinot Noir, 40% Meunier, 20% Chardonnay · 9.5 g/l Dosage
Blanc de Blancs Brut
Single-variety Chardonnay from the Montagne de Reims — rather rare in this region. Light and floral, with citrus notes and a hint of honey in the finish.
100% Chardonnay · Montagne de Reims
Brut Nature
Vinified without dosage, from a balanced assemblage of 50% Pinot Noir, 25% Meunier and 25% Chardonnay. Dried fruits and ripe fruit on the nose, salty-mineral finish.
50% Pinot Noir, 25% Meunier, 25% Chardonnay · 0 g/l Dosage
Brut Rosé
Based on the same assemblage as the Tête de Cuvée, enhanced with 15% red wine from the Vallée de la Marne. Aromatically clearly focused on red fruit, powerful and expressive.
40% Pinot Noir, 40% Meunier, 20% Chardonnay · 15% Red wine
Premier Cru Brut
A distinctive Pinot Noir-dominated cuvée (80%) with 20% Chardonnay, exclusively from Premier Cru sites. Powerful attack, brilliant freshness, white peach notes.
80% Pinot Noir, 20% Chardonnay · Premier Cru
Millésime 2016 Brut
The 2016 vintage stands for complexity and depth. Here Chardonnay leads with 56% ahead of Pinot Noir (44%), terroir focus is on the Côte des Blancs. Velvety texture, white stone fruit, light toast notes.
44% Pinot Noir, 56% Chardonnay · Base 2016 · Côte des Blancs
Stradivarius 2009 Brut
The exceptional 2009 vintage is celebrated here in an assemblage of 53% Pinot Noir and 47% Chardonnay. Structure and roundness in balance, yellow and white peach notes, roasted-nutty depth.
53% Pinot Noir, 47% Chardonnay · Base 2009
Cuvée Bio Tradition Père & Fils Brut
Single-variety vinified from 100% Meunier, from organically farmed parcels. Balanced acidity, pomegranate aromas, citrus finish.
100% Meunier · Organic certified
Extra-Brut HVE
This cuvée carries the HVE certification prominently in the name. Airy and lively, very fresh, with oriental spice notes and juicy pear.
HVE-certified · Extra Brut
Demi-Sec
Assembled with 50% Pinot Noir, 20% Meunier and 30% Chardonnay. Intense aromatics, balance of freshness and fullness, dulce de leche, dates, dried figs.
50% Pinot Noir, 20% Meunier, 30% Chardonnay · Demi-Sec
Cuvée Sweet
With 60 g/l dosage the sweetest cuvée in the portfolio. Pinot Noir leads with 55%, followed by 25% Meunier and 20% Chardonnay. Pear, citrus, brioche finish.
55% Pinot Noir, 25% Meunier, 20% Chardonnay · 60 g/l Dosage
Cuvée Senses Extra Brut
Presented in a thermosensitive sleeve that reacts to temperature. Assemblage of 63% Pinot Noir and 37% Meunier, terroir Vallée de la Marne. Plum and red fruit aromas.
63% Pinot Noir, 37% Meunier · Vallée de la Marne · Extra Brut
Cuvée Senses Rosé Extra Dry
Also with thermochromic effect (sleeve changes from white to pink). 50% Pinot Noir, 20% Meunier, 30% Chardonnay. Red fruits, yellow peach, mirabelle.
50% Pinot Noir, 20% Meunier, 30% Chardonnay · Extra Dry
Cuvée Art Nouveau Extra Brut
Homage to Art Nouveau and the peacock, inspired by the Art Nouveau entrance gate of the Reims building. 50% Meunier, 20% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay. White fruit, citrus.
50% Meunier, 20% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay · Extra Brut
Cuvée Romance Extra Brut
Fresh and spicy-peppery, spring flowers (violet, lilac), citrus. 50% Meunier, 40% Pinot Noir, 10% Chardonnay.
50% Meunier, 40% Pinot Noir, 10% Chardonnay · Extra Brut
Happy Holidays #1 Brut
Limited edition for the winter holidays. 63% Pinot Noir, 37% Meunier. Red fruit, pastry-like notes, mineral finish.
63% Pinot Noir, 37% Meunier · Limited Edition
Happy Holidays #2 Brut
Second winter edition, same assemblage as #1. Delicate white stone fruits, plum, quetsche, violet flowers.
63% Pinot Noir, 37% Meunier · Limited Edition
Happy Holidays #3 Brut
Third winter edition with slightly increased Pinot Noir content (70%). Fresh attack, silky texture, white stone fruit (peach, apricot), roasted almonds, long finish.
70% Pinot Noir, 30% Meunier · Limited Edition
My Tastings
- Tête de Cuvée Brut · 07.17.2025
Solid structure, but coarse perlage. Lacks the depth one would expect from a flagship cuvée. Rustic style, little finesse. Assemblage technically correct (40/40/20), but the élevage lacks precision.
Facts
Heute mal wieder was aus der Supermarkt-Kategorie. Zwei Flaschen, ein Supermarkt, 17,99 € das Stück. Gekauft bei Hofer – rein aus Neugier:…
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Official Name | Champagne Charles de Cazanove |
| Founded | 1811 in Avize (Côte des Blancs) |
| Founder | Charles Gabriel de Cazanove (24 years old) |
| Owner | Rapeneau family (since 2004) |
| Director | Jean Rémy Rapeneau |
| Category | NM (Négoce-Manipulant) |
| Location | 8 Place de la République, 51100 Reims, France |
| Region | Montagne de Reims |
| Vignoble | 35 hectares (estate vignoble of the Rapeneau family) |
| Villages | Chamery, Ecueil, Champillon, Dizy, Ambonnay, Bouzy, Louvois, Sermiers, Mutigny, Taissy, Fontaine-sur-Ay, Tauxières |
| Certifications | HVE (since 2021), Organic (Cuvée Tradition Père & Fils) |
| Élevage | Stainless steel tanks, cru- and parcel-specific |
| Aging Time | 15–24 months |
| Dosage Range | 0–60 g/l (Brut Nature to Sweet) |
| Website | champagnedecazanove.com |
| @champagnedecazanove | |
| Phone | +33 3 26 88 53 86 |
| boutique@decazanove.com |
Sources for this portrait: Maison website, personal tastings, CRM data and cross-checks. Fields without sufficient verification remain open.