Champagne Vranken
Champagne Vranken was founded in 1976 by Paul-François Vranken and is based in Reims, with roots in the Sézannais. The maison is now led by Nathalie Vranken and is legally part of Maison Pommery & Associés (SA). Vranken is classified as NM (Négociant-Manipulant), producing some of their own grapes and working with partner growers.
History
Paul-François Vranken founded his own champagne house in 1976 and settled in the heart of the Sézannais. Just two years later, in 1978, he and his first chef de cave Dominique Pichart carried out a stylistic revolution: they eliminated cognac spirit from the dosage – the distinctive Vranken style was born, light, fruity and modern.
In 1985, Vranken acquired Château des Castaignes in Montmort and created Demoiselle de Champagne, a tête-de-cuvée with a bottle designed as a tribute to Art Nouveau. 2004 saw the acquisition of Villa Demoiselle in Reims, an Art Nouveau jewel that reopened in 2008 after four years of restoration and has since served as the maison's representative headquarters. A year later, in 2009, the historic cellars with the Millésimes d'Or collection (oldest vintage: 1907), the kiosk and the garden laid out according to plans by Edouard Redont were opened to the public.
In 2015, the estate received the double sustainability label: Viticulture Durable en Champagne (VDC) and Haute Valeur Environnementale (HVE) – a commitment to environmentally friendly cultivation.
Viticulture & Sustainability
Vranken produces with the greatest possible respect for the environment and focuses on sustainable development. Since 2015, the maison has held the labels Viticulture Durable en Champagne and Haute Valeur Environnementale. The maison actively engages in biodiversity in Champagne and has anchored environmental protection in its production philosophy.
Vinification
The Vranken philosophy rests on innovation and qualitative fractionation. As early as 1978, Paul-François Vranken eliminated cognac spirit from the dosage, creating a new style: lighter bruts, fruit-forward and modern. For the Demoiselle Tête de Cuvée, a special pressing method is applied – only the first 15 hectoliters from 4000 kilograms of grapes (the so-called "tête de cuvée") are used.
The dosage range extends from 0 g/l (Brut Nature) to about 8 g/l (Brut). Vinification aims to clearly bring out aromas and terroir quality without masking through excessive sweetness.
The Cuvées in Detail
Demoiselle Tête de Cuvée
The maison's prestige cuvée created in 1985, with a bottle that celebrates Art Nouveau. Vranken uses exclusively the first 15 hectoliters from 4000 kilograms of grapes – a rigorous qualitative fractionation. The assemblage consists of unique wines with at least 50% Chardonnay from strictly selected crus.
50% Chardonnay (min.) · Brut · Tête de cuvée (15 hl/4000 kg) · Sélection rigoureuse des crus
Demoiselle EO (Esprit d'Origine)
EO stands for "Esprit d'Origine" and refers to the original Demoiselle style. An elegant, floral champagne with creamy perlage that shows notes of white peach, apple blossom and vanilla. The Chardonnay emphasis gives the wine finesse and length.
60% Chardonnay · Brut · 8 g/l dosage
Demoiselle La Parisienne
A bottle as artwork: opalescent glasswork, designed as a tribute to René Lalique, master glassmaker and jeweler. La Parisienne combines champagne enjoyment with fine arts in Art Nouveau style.
Brut · Lalique-inspired bottle
Diamant Brut
The Diamant cuvée was created 20 years after Demoiselle and shows a more powerful, present style. Structured, with yellow fruits, nutty notes and light vanilla. The faceted bottle in Art Deco style underscores the clear, geometric character of the wine.
50% Pinot Noir · 50% Chardonnay · Brut · Art Deco bottle
Brut Nature
The maison's newest creation, dosed entirely without added sugar. The Brut Nature represents a new reading of champagne assemblage and lets aromas and terroir quality speak unobstructed – a commitment to transparency and reduction.
0 g/l dosage · Brut Nature · Exaltation du terroir
My Tastings
- Demoiselle EO (Esprit d'Origine) · July 27, 2025
- Diamant Brut · May 9, 2025
Facts
Der Demoiselle EO von @champagnevranken stand schon eine Weile im Kühler – und gestern Abend war einfach der richtige Moment. Kein Anlass, keine…
Die Facettenflasche allein ist schon Statement genug – aber geschmacklich kann der Diamant von @champagnevranken mithalten: kraftvoll, präsent, mit…
| Founded | 1976 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Paul-François Vranken |
| Category | NM (Négociant-Manipulant) |
| Management | Nathalie Vranken |
| Headquarters | 5 Place du General Gouraud, 51100 Reims |
| Region | Sézannais |
| Legal form | Société anonyme (SA), part of Maison Pommery & Associés |
| Labels | Viticulture Durable en Champagne (VDC), Haute Valeur Environnementale (HVE) since 2015 |
| Website | champagnevranken.com |
| @champagnevranken |
Sources for this portrait: Maison website, my own tastings, CRM data and cross-checks. Fields without sufficient verification remain open.