Champagne Lelarge-Pugeot

Champagne Lelarge-Pugeot — Biodynamic Meunier Specialist from Vrigny

Champagne Lelarge-Pugeot is a Récoltant-Manipulant from Vrigny, a Premier Cru village in the Montagne de Reims. The Lelarge family has been cultivating vines in Vrigny since 1799, founded by Pierre-Henri Lelarge, who married Madeleine Dravigny from a local winegrowing family. Today Dominique Lelarge (7th generation) runs the maison together with his wife Dominique Pugeot and their children Clémence (since 2012) and Valentin (since 2015). The maison was originally called Champagne Lelarge, until the marriage of Dominique and Dominique brought the double name.

History

Pierre-Henri Lelarge settled in Vrigny in 1799 and married Madeleine Dravigny, whose family was already involved in winemaking. World War I in 1914 forced Raymond (5th generation) into the war, and the family fled to Polisy in southern Champagne. After the war ended in 1922, Raymond restored the vineyard and installed a press. The first bottling of Champagne Lelarge took place in 1930.

Marcel, Raymond's son, took over in 1950 together with his wife Fernande. In 1963, Dominique Lelarge was born. He studied viticulture and oenology in Beaune in 1983, where he met Dominique Pugeot. In 1985, Dominique took over part of the family business and began sustainable farming. In 1990, the young couple decided on more sustainable management, reducing pesticides and herbicides — and the maison became Champagne Lelarge-Pugeot.

In 1998, a new winery was built with a press and fermentation tanks to increase production. From 2000, Dominique completely stopped using insecticides and began cover cropping. By 2005, all vineyards had cover crops, and in 2009, horse plowing was added for part of the area. In 2010, the decision was made to convert to organic farming through Ecocert, and the first 100% Meunier cuvée was bottled.

In 2012, Clémence joined and developed exports, with Valentin following at the end of 2015. In 2014, the biodynamic trial phase began, in 2015 the entire vineyard was organically certified, and in 2017 Demeter certification followed for the 2017 harvest. Between 2015 and 2017, major expansion work was carried out on the winery and cellar. In 2016, the family started beekeeping, and in 2019 added amphorae from the Basque country and 500-liter barrels. In 2020, fruit trees were planted to promote biodiversity. In 2022, the maison released the 100% natural Luna series in three volumes with labels by artist Ayca, with proceeds partially going to the International Federation for Human Rights.

Vignoble & Terroir

The maison cultivates 8.7 hectares in Vrigny, a Premier Cru village in the Montagne de Reims. The grape varieties are distributed as 50.6% Meunier (4.4 ha), 32.2% Pinot Noir (2.8 ha) and 17.2% Chardonnay (1.5 ha). The soil is rich in limestone and marl, partly clay-loam and sandy.

Viticulture & Sustainability

Champagne Lelarge-Pugeot has been working progressively biodynamically since 1985. The focus is on the natural balance between environment, vineyard and terroir. Since 2000, no insecticides have been used, and fungicides and herbicides are significantly reduced. Trace elements, sulfur and copper are used to combat diseases, along with essential oils, organic compost and plant decoctions. The maison has been organically certified (Ecocert) since 2015 and Demeter certified since the 2017 harvest.

Horse plowing is used on 25% of the area to prevent soil compaction. Since 2005, all vineyards have cover crops. The maison promotes beneficial predator fauna (ladybugs, lacewings) and works with biodynamic preparations 500, 500p and 501 as well as plant teas 502, 503, 504, 505 and 507. The lunar calendar is observed. Hand harvesting, native yeasts. Since 2016, the family has operated beekeeping, and in 2020 fruit trees were planted.

Vinification

The philosophy is: "We don't make wine, we cultivate wine." Minimal manipulation, natural fermentation with indigenous yeasts, only minimal sulfite addition when necessary. The goal is to express the terroir of Vrigny and the vintage. Fermentation tanks have been available since 1998, and the cuverie was expanded between 2015 and 2017. In 2019, 500-liter barrels and amphorae from the Basque country were added.

The Cuvées in Detail

Tradition

The classic assemblage of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Meunier. Notes of ripe apples, toasted almonds and fine brioche, with lively acidity and subtle creaminess. Biodynamically produced, 36 months on lees.

Assemblage not published · Brut · 36 months aging · Vrigny Premier Cru

Les Meuniers de Clémence

First bottling 2010, also available in Magnum. Pure Meunier from Vrigny.

100% Meunier · Brut · Base 2010

Nature

The maison's first 100% natural cuvée, without any addition of sulfur or sugar. First harvest 2014.

Assemblage not published · Brut Nature · Base 2014

Blanc de Blancs

Pure Chardonnay from Vrigny.

100% Chardonnay · Brut

Rosé

Classic rosé champagne from the maison.

Assemblage not published · Rosé

Saignée de Meunier

Rosé from 100% Meunier, vinified using the saignée method.

100% Meunier · Rosé

Les Charmes de Vrigny

Terroir cuvée from Vrigny.

Assemblage not published · Brut · Vrigny

Gueux Extra-Brut 2008

Vintage champagne from Gueux, a neighboring village of Vrigny.

Assemblage not published · Extra Brut · 2008 · Gueux

Quintessence 2010

Vintage champagne 2010.

Assemblage not published · Brut · 2010

C'est sucré

The maison's Demi-Sec cuvée.

Assemblage not published · Demi-Sec

Blanc de Meuniers

White wine from red grapes, first bottling 2013. Coteaux Champenois.

100% Meunier · Coteaux Champenois Blanc · Base 2013

Rouge de Meuniers

Still red wine from Meunier.

100% Meunier · Coteaux Champenois Rouge

Coteaux Champenois Rouge

Still red wine from Pinot Noir, first bottling 2008. Thanks to sustainable farming, the grapes achieved higher ripeness.

100% Pinot Noir · Coteaux Champenois Rouge · Base 2008

Coteaux Champenois Blanc

Still white wine.

Assemblage not published · Coteaux Champenois Blanc

La Côte des Glaises

Still rosé wine.

Assemblage not published · Coteaux Champenois Rosé

My Tastings

• Tradition · NV · 2025-02-18

Facts

Category	RM (Récoltant-Manipulant)
Founded	1799 (Pierre-Henri Lelarge)
Generation	7th and 8th (since 2012/2015)
Management	Dominique Lelarge, Dominique Pugeot, Clémence, Valentin
Location	30 rue Saint-Vincent, 51390 Vrigny
Region	Montagne de Reims
Cru	Premier Cru (Vrigny)
Vineyard Area	8.7 ha
Grape Varieties	50.6% Meunier, 32.2% Pinot Noir, 17.2% Chardonnay
Certification	AB (Ecocert 2015), Demeter (harvest 2017)
Website	champagnelelarge-pugeot.com
Instagram	@champagnelelargepugeot
Contact	+33 3 26 03 69 43 · contact@champagnelelarge-pugeot.com

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