Winery Location: Mareuil-sur-Aÿ
Year Established: 1818

Vineyard Holdings

Approximately 15 ha

Top Wines Produced

  • Brut Reserve NV
  • Blanc de Blancs Brut NV
  • Cuvée Nicolas François Brut Vintage
  • Clos Saint-Hilaire Brut Vintage
  • Cuvée Elisabeth Salmon Rosé Brut Vintage

Inaugural Vintages

  • 1955 for Nicolas François
  • 1988 for Cuvée Elisabeth Salmon Rosé
  • 1995 for Clos Saint-Hilaire

Average Total Production

  • 1,692,000 bottles

Summary

Billecart-Salmon is currently run by the seventh generation of the Billecart family since its inception in 1811. The house style is elegant, driven by the philosophy to harvest higher acid, lower alcohol grapes. The majority of the vineyard holdings are in the Marne Valley in Damery, Aÿ, and Mareuil-sur-Aÿ.  Four hectares are located in the Côte des Blancs, all in grand cru vineyards.  Their blends are red fruit dominant, driven by Pinot Noir and Meunier, though they do make a NV and vintage blanc de blancs, all from their grand cru vineyards in the Côte des Blancs.


Style & Vinification Techniques

Depending on the cuvée, base wines may be fermented in oak or stainless steel. Those that are fermented in oak do not go through malolactic fermentation.  Wines are fermented slowly and at cool temperatures to preserve freshness, and are aged on their lees for four to five months before the bottle fermentation.

Producer Website: Billecart-Salmon