Champagne Mathelin — Vallée du Flagot, Premier Cru Cerseuil
Champagne Mathelin is a Récoltant-Manipulant from Cerseuil in the Vallée de la Marne, specifically in the side valley Vallée du Flagot. The family has been working as winemakers since 1791; today Cédric and Aurélien Mathelin run the maison in the 9th generation. In 1980, Gilles and Régis Mathelin left the cooperative, built underground cellars on the grounds of the 18th-century family farm, and began as Récoltant-Manipulant.
History
Maison Mathelin looks back on over 230 years of winemaking tradition. In 1791, the family began cultivating vines in the Marne valley. The decisive step toward their own champagne production followed in 1980: Gilles and Régis Mathelin separated from the cooperative, built a new cellar system under the old family farm, and started as Récoltant-Manipulant. In 2014, the maison received Haute Valeur Environnementale certification (Level 3) — the same year Mathelin began their Réserve Perpétuelle, which today forms the base for the cuvée Perpétuelle.
Vignoble & Soil
Mathelin farms 13.5 hectares of vineyard area, exclusively in Cerseuil (Premier Cru) on the coteaux of Vallée du Flagot. All three main grape varieties — Meunier, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir — are represented; an exact percentage breakdown is not documented. The oldest parcels date from 1933 (Meunier) and 1960 (Chardonnay). The soil shows a sandy structure (sablonneux) in the eastern part of Cerseuil, which offers particularly favorable ripening conditions for Chardonnay. The maison stores over 250,000 bottles in their cellars.
Viticulture & Sustainability
Mathelin practices viticulture durable with strong ecological awareness. Since 2014, the maison has been HVE-certified (Level 3). All vineyards have permanent grass cover (enherbement permanent), the use of inputs is reduced to a minimum, hand work takes priority over motorized equipment. Harvest is done manually. Beyond vineyard work, the family has reforested more than 3 hectares of forest and woodland, planted over 300 meters of hedges between vine rows, and installed a rainwater recovery system. Bottles are chosen to be lighter, packaging materials are recycled.
Vinification
Vinification takes place entirely on the family estate. The maison works with both stainless steel tanks and wooden barrels: For the cuvée L'Orée des Chênes, 45% of the Chardonnay is aged in oak barrels. For the premium cuvées Perle de Chardonnay and Cœur de Meunier, Mathelin uses spontaneous fermentation and foregoes fining. The dosage range extends from Brut Nature (0 g/l) to Extra Dry. Since 2014, the maison maintains a Réserve Perpétuelle, which is refreshed annually with new wine. The cuvée L'Orée des Chênes is bottled 6 months after harvest and ages for at least 4 years on the lees.
The Cuvées in Detail
Terre de Tradition Brut
The base cuvée of the maison reflects the terroir of Vallée du Flagot. In 2026, it was awarded one star in the Guide Hachette. Also available in half bottles.
Variable assemblage · Brut · Vallée du Flagot
Reserve N°4 Brut
Fruity, creamy, lively — aromas of apple, plum, butter, and brioche. HVE-certified and typical of the maison's signature style.
60% Meunier, 20% Pinot Noir, 20% Chardonnay · Brut · Vallée du Flagot
Rose de Vigne Millésime Brut
Rosé de saignée from two old parcels near the farm, macerated for a few hours. Selected in Gault & Millau 2026. Also available in magnum.
Variable assemblage · Rosé · Macération courte · Parcelles ancestrales
Perle de Chardonnay Millésime 2016
Blanc de Blancs from the oldest Chardonnay parcel (planted 1960). Brut Nature, zero dosage. Calm, clear, precise — ripe pear, apple, citrus zest. Limited, numbered series. Gault & Millau 2021, 2022, 2024 (15.5/20).
100% Chardonnay · 0 g/l · Millésime 2016 · Vieilles vignes (1960)
Cœur de Meunier Millésime 2018
Manchmal sagt ein minimalistisches Etikett schon alles: Beim „Équilibre“ von @champagne_mathelin ist der Name absolutes Programm! Auf der Flasche…
Heute habe ich eine echte Besonderheit aus der „Collector“ Linie von @champagne_mathelin im Glas: Die Cuvée „Lady Coralie“. Das Spannende an diesem…
Heute habe ich einen äechter Klassiker aus dem Herzen der Marne geöffnet, der seinem Namen alle Ehre macht: Den „Terre de Tradition“ Brut von…
Blanc de Noirs from Premier Cru Cerseuil, Meunier planted 1933. Brut Nature, spontaneous fermentation, unfined, aged in stainless steel. Dégorgement July 2023 after 52 months of aging. Calm, spicy, nutty. Gault & Millau 2020–2024.
100% Meunier · 0 g/l · Millésime 2018 · 52 months aging · Premier Cru Cerseuil, vieilles vignes (1933)
Équilibre Millésime
Assemblage of the oldest parcels: Meunier 1933 and Chardonnay 1960. Limited, numbered series. Gault & Millau 2021–2023 (16/20).
50% Meunier, 50% Chardonnay · Brut · Millésime · Vieilles vignes
Les Sables Millésime Brut
From the sandy soils in eastern Cerseuil, optimal ripeness for Chardonnay. Gault & Millau 2026.
Variable assemblage · Brut · Millésime · Sols sablonneux Cerseuil
Perpétuelle Extra Brut
Réserve perpétuelle, started in 2014. Gault & Millau 2017, 2026 (90/100).
Variable assemblage · Extra Brut · Réserve perpétuelle depuis 2014
L'Orée des Chênes Brut
45% of the Chardonnay is aged in oak barrels, the remaining grapes come from the réserve perpétuelle. Mise en bouteille 6 months after harvest, at least 4 years on the lees. Also available in magnum.
Variable assemblage · Brut · 45% fût de chêne (Chardonnay), réserve perpétuelle · 48+ months aging
Nuit Étoilée Extra Brut
Low dosage. Gault & Millau 2026, Guide Hachette 2020 (2 stars).
Variable assemblage · Extra Brut
Lady Coralie Brut
Œil de perdrix — beginning maceration already at harvest, copper-colored robe, notes of honey. Gault & Millau 2026 (88/100), Hachette 2025 (1 star).
Variable assemblage · Brut · Œil de perdrix · Début de macération
Lucien Mathelin Extra Dry
Tribute cuvée to Lucien Mathelin. Generous dosage, pairs well with cheese. Limited, numbered series. Gault & Millau 2021.
Variable assemblage · Extra Dry · Dosage généreuse
My Tastings
- Reserve N°4 · July 2025
- Cœur de Meunier 2018 · November 2025
- Perle de Chardonnay 2016 · January 2026
Facts
| Category | Récoltant-Manipulant (RM) |
| Founded | 1791 (viticulture), 1980 (RM) |
| Generation | 9th generation |
| Management | Cédric et Aurélien Mathelin |
| Vineyard area | 13.5 ha |
| Villages | Cerseuil (Premier Cru) |
| Region | Vallée de la Marne (Vallée du Flagot) |
| Grape varieties | Meunier, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir |
| Certification | HVE Level 3 (since 2014) |
| Dosage | 0–12 g/l (Brut Nature to Extra Dry) |
| Special features | Réserve perpétuelle (since 2014), spontaneous fermentation, vieilles vignes 1933 & 1960 |
| Website | champagne-mathelin.com |
| @champagne_mathelin |
Sources for this portrait: Maison website, own tastings, CRM data and cross-checks. Fields without sufficient verification remain open.