Champagne Collard-Picard

Champagne Collard-Picard

Champagne Collard-Picard is a Récoltant-Manipulant from Epernay in the Vallée de la Marne. The house is run by Olivier, Caroline and Alexandre Collard. The family manages parcels in Villers-Sous-Châtillon and Epernay; the address on Avenue de Champagne houses the boutique, while the cellar work takes place in Villers-Sous-Châtillon.

Vignoble & Terroir

The vines are planted in Villers-Sous-Châtillon and Epernay, with parcels in the Vallée de la Marne and on the Côte des Blancs. The soil signature includes fossilized chalk and limestone-clay sites – this structure shows clearly in the cuvées I've tasted: mineral, precise, with long chalky character in the finish.

Viticulture & Sustainability

Collard-Picard is HVE-certified (Haute Valeur Environnementale). The family describes their work as "more than a family story, a passion" – a phrase found on their Instagram bio that underscores their commitment to being personally connected to their vines.

Vinification

The vinification follows a clear philosophy: spontaneous fermentation with indigenous yeasts, aging in large wooden casks (Foudres), no malolactic fermentation. The dosage ranges between 0 and 4 g/l – all three cuvées I've tasted are Extra Brut or Brut Nature. This combination – wood, no malo, very low dosage – produces Champagnes with structure, minerality and present acidity, without heaviness.

For the cuvée Perpetuelle 13 Années, the house maintains a Réserve perpétuelle in Solera style: vintages from 2008 to 2020 age together, with each assemblage a portion is removed and replenished with younger wines.

The Cuvées in Detail

Essentiel 2015

A vintage Champagne with 50% Chardonnay, 25% Pinot Noir and 25% Meunier, from parcels on the Côte des Blancs and in the Vallée de la Marne. The wine was bottled in March 2015, disgorged in April 2025 – nearly nine years on lees. Fermentation with natural yeasts, aging in oak foudres, no malo. The long aging brings depth and composure, the wooden casks provide structure without weight, the absent malo keeps the acidity present.

50% CH · 25% PN · 25% PM · 0 g/l Dosage (Brut Nature) · 107 months aging · Côte des Blancs & Vallée de la Marne

Perpetuelle 13 Années

An assemblage of 50% Chardonnay, 25% Pinot Noir and 25% Meunier, vinified in Solera style from vintages 2008 to 2020. The base bottling was in March 2021, disgorged in July 2024 – 39 months on lees. Spontaneous fermentation in large oak casks, without malolactic fermentation. In the glass initially calm and precise with bright fruit, herbs, mandarin. Light oxidative, nutty wood character – clean and not heavy, with lively acidity.

50% CH · 25% PN · 25% PM · 4 g/l Dosage (Extra Brut) · 39 months aging · Réserve perpétuelle: 2008–2020 · Aube / Côte des Bar

ADN Noir

A Blanc de Noirs with 50% Pinot Noir and 50% Meunier from the right bank of the Vallée de la Marne, on clay-limestone soil. Mise en cave in March 2019, disgorged in December 2024 – 68 months aging. Spontaneous fermentation in large casks, no malolactic fermentation, only 3 g/l dosage. Cool and precise with mineral depth and long chalky finish. Red apple skin, mirabelle, herbs, saline notes. Taut and fresh, but never austere – a Blanc de Noirs that demands attention.

50% PN · 50% PM · 3 g/l Dosage (Extra Brut) · 68 months aging · Vallée de la Marne – Rive Droite, Argilo-Calcaire

My Tastings

• Essentiel 2015 (2015) · December 26, 2025
• Perpetuelle 13 Années (2008) · December 12, 2025
• ADN Noir (2019) · November 20, 2025

Facts

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