Champagne de Venoge – Grande Marque since 1837

Champagne de Venoge – Grande Marque since 1837

Champagne de Venoge is a Grande Marque based in Epernay, 33 avenue de Champagne – since 2015 on the UNESCO World Heritage site. Founded in 1837 as "de Venoge & Cie" by Henri-Marc de Venoge and his son Joseph. Since 1998 part of the Boizel Chanoine Champagne group.

History

Henri-Marc de Venoge left Switzerland in 1825, specifically the Canton of Vaud, and settled in Champagne. Twelve years later, in 1837, he founded the Maison in Epernay together with his son Joseph. Just one year after founding, Henri-Marc revolutionized marketing: in 1838, he created the first illustrated label in Champagne history.

In 1845, Joseph took over management. Six years later, in 1851, the Maison chose the Cordon Bleu as its emblem – a reference to their Swiss homeland (the Venoge river) and the Order of the Holy Spirit. This symbol still adorns the bottles today.

In 1858, the Cuvée des Princes was created, a tribute to the Princes of Orange. Joseph de Venoge's son Gaëtan took over the presidency in 1866 and drove exports forward, particularly to the United States. In 1876, the Maison won the Grand Prix d'Excellence at the World's Fair in Philadelphia. In 1882, de Venoge was among the founding members of the Syndicat des Grandes Marques de Champagne.

In 1898, Gaëtan's daughter Yvonne de Venoge and her husband, the Marquis Adrien de Mun, took over leadership. Under their aegis, the Maison gained access to European nobility. From 1922 to 1958, Henri de Manneville and later Jacques de Nadaillac led the house.

In 1998, de Venoge integrated into the Boizel Chanoine Champagne group. In 2005, the Maison launched the prestige cuvée Louis XV, named after the king whose decree of May 25, 1728 allowed the sale of Champagne in bottles. In 2015, the Maison moved to its current address on Avenue de Champagne.

Vinification

De Venoge relies on high quality standards: only the first pressing is used, aging periods are long, dosages are low. The Maison owns one of the richest wine libraries in Champagne – an archive of historic vintages that only a few houses maintain to this extent.

The Cuvées in Detail

Cordon Bleu Brut

The calling card of the Maison. Floral notes, some butter, a hint of bread crust and a mineral finish. Freshness and structure in balance. The Cordon Bleu emblem – symbol of the house since 1851 – graces the bottle: a connection to their Swiss homeland and the Order of the Holy Spirit.

50% Pinot Noir · 25% Meunier · 25% Chardonnay · 6.1 g/l Dosage · 36 months aging

Cuvée des Princes

Created in 1858, in honor of the Princes of Orange. A historic cuvée that embodies the export spirit of the Maison.

Louis XV

Prestige cuvée, launched in 2005. A tribute to King Louis XV, whose decree from 1728 legalized Champagne trade in bottles – a milestone for the entire region.

My Tastings

• Cordon Bleu Brut · May 8, 2025
  Floral notes, some butter, hint of bread crust, mineral finish. Pairing with wurst salad – unconventional, but it works: The freshness of the Champagne lifts the acidity of the salad, the structure carries the spice.

Facts

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