Champagne Jacques Sonnette

Champagne Jacques Sonnette

Champagne Jacques Sonnette

Champagne Jacques Sonnette is a Récoltant-Manipulant from Charly-sur-Marne, a village in the far west of Champagne, where the Vallée de la Marne transitions into the Département Aisne. The family has been cultivating their own vines here for several generations, now in the hands of Mélanie Sonnette. It's one of those small maisons that rarely appear in the big lists and are precisely for that reason a discovery.

Vignoble & Soil

The vineyards lie on the sun-blessed slopes of the Vallée de la Marne, that part of Champagne where Pinot Meunier is at home. What makes it into the glass here comes exclusively from the family's own parcels, no purchased fruit, but their own terroir. This principle of keeping everything in-house runs through the entire maison.

Viticulture & Sustainability

Since April 27, 2021, the estate has been HVE-certified (Haute Valeur Environnementale), the highest French environmental level in viticulture. Behind this stands an attitude that places respect for family and champenois tradition above all else: every step, from vine to finished bottle, remains under their own responsibility.

Vinification

The house also keeps everything in-house in the cellar. All steps of vinification take place in their own facility, in the spirit of consistent, reliable quality. The goal is not effect, but expression: champagnes that reflect their own terroir as clearly and honestly as possible.

The Cuvées in Detail

Brut Tradition

The everyday cuvée of the maison, "Le Champagne de tous les instants." Received silver at the 2026 Concours des Vignerons Indépendants and has been mentioned several times in Guide Hachette.

Terroir: Vallée de la Marne

Demi-sec

Companion for desserts, the classic in the off-dry, fruity variant.

Terroir: Vallée de la Marne

Brut Réserve

The cuvée for special moments. At least four years aging on the lees. Ripe fruit with dried apricot, fine toasted aromas, bread crust and hazelnut, round on the palate with distinct volume. Mentioned multiple times in Guide Hachette.

58% Chardonnay, 30% Meunier, 12% Pinot Noir · 48 months aging · Vallée de la Marne

Brut Rosé

Plaisir et raffinement. Red berries and citrus, fine spice, lively on the palate. Several citations in Guide Hachette.

60% Chardonnay, 20% Pinot Noir, 20% Meunier · Vallée de la Marne

Millésime 2018

The excellence of a vintage, limited vintage cuvée from the 2018 year.

Base 2018 · Vallée de la Marne

Prestige Brut

"Un vin subtil et d'exception," the classic balance of all three grape varieties in equal parts. Ripe citrus notes with brioche, apple and subtle floral notes. Fine, balanced, champenois.

33.3% Chardonnay, 33.3% Pinot Noir, 33.4% Meunier · Vallée de la Marne

Blanc de Noirs

Launched as a novelty in 2023, "Un vrai Champagne plaisir." Pure Blanc de Noirs from Pinot Noir and Meunier.

Vallée de la Marne

Blanc de Noirs 2019

Anniversary cuvée in limited edition. Aged four years on the lees. Red fruits, pâtisserie, white flowers and yellow fruits, fresh, fruity with clear structure.

75% Pinot Noir, 25% Meunier · 6 g/l dosage · 48 months aging · Charly-sur-Marne

My Tastings

  • Blanc de Noirs 2019, September 23, 2025
  • Rosé Brut, November 9, 2025
  • Prestige Brut, November 27, 2025
  • Brut Réserve, January 14, 2026

Facts

Category RM (Récoltant-Manipulant)
Location 2 rue du Port Picard Grand Porteron, 02310 Charly-sur-Marne
Region Vallée de la Marne, Aisne
Management Mélanie Sonnette
Certification HVE (since April 27, 2021)
Website champagne-sonnette.fr
Phone +33 3 23 82 05 71

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

Cuvées

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