In the world of Champagne, there’s something magical about discovering hidden gems—those small producers whose craftsmanship and dedication sparkle in every bubble. I’m thrilled to share my tasting experience with two exceptional champagnes from House Du Champagne, a Dutch retailer on a mission to bring these artisanal treasures directly to consumers’ doorsteps. Thank you for sending me these two bottles so I can try them and give my honest opinion.
A Story Born from Passion
House Du Champagne’s story begins like many great wine tales—with a moment of serendipity. In January 2015, founder Robert discovered an unexpected treasure in a charming Airbnb in the Champagne region. A welcome gift of Champagne sparked an epiphany, leading to a mission: bringing exceptional, small-producer champagnes to the Netherlands at accessible prices. Now under new stewardship since 2023, with enthusiasts Gerben, Joost, Kiki, and Martine at the helm, this passion project continues to evolve while staying true to its core vision.
Artisanal Excellence: Championing Small Producers
House Du Champagne sets itself apart through its commitment to collaborating directly with small, local producers. Their portfolio showcases vignerons prioritizing quality over quantity, allowing the terroir to shine through their wines. This curatorial approach ensures that each Champagne in their selection has earned its place through blind tastings and careful consideration. The team’s passion for discovering and sharing these artisanal products makes fine Champagne more accessible to Dutch consumers while upholding the highest quality standards.
The Producers Behind the Bottles
Let’s dive into the two champagnes I had the pleasure of tasting. I’ll share my personal impressions and tasting notes for each.
Henri Chauvet: A Legacy Since 1890
The story of Champagne Henri Chauvet is one of family dedication spanning four generations. Founded in 1890 in Rilly-la-Montagne, just south of Reims, this champagne house has maintained its independence and artisanal approach for over a century. Today, Damien Chauvet and his wife Mathilde continue this proud tradition, overseeing every aspect of production from vineyard to bottle.
What impresses me about this house is its complete vertical integration—it controls every step of the process, from tending the vineyards and harvesting the grapes to assembling the final cuvées and labeling the bottles. This meticulous attention to detail shines through in its wines, especially in its Brut Réserve, which I’m sampling today.
Technical Details – Brut Réserve:
- Composition: Perfect balance of 50% Chardonnay and 50% Pinot Noir
- Aging: Minimum 3 years on lees
- Dosage: 7 g/l (Brut)
- Alcohol: 12.5%
- Price: €31.50
- Region: Montagne de Reims
Tasting Notes: Opening this bottle is like unveiling a beautifully composed symphony. The first pour reveals a bright pale gold liquid dancing in the glass, with a mesmerizing stream of tiny, persistent bubbles forming a delicate crown—a hallmark of careful aging and quality production.
The aromatics are a masterclass in subtlety. Initially, there’s that classic freshly-baked brioche character for which great Champagne is known. Wait a moment, though, and you’ll discover layers of crisp green apple, delicate white flower petals, and an intriguing citrus brightness that keeps drawing you back. Each swirl of the glass reveals new dimensions.
On the palate, this Champagne indeed shows its pedigree. The first sip delivers pristine freshness—imagine biting into a perfectly ripe lemon without any sharpness. That signature brioche character follows through beautifully, creating a sophisticated interplay between fruit and the complex autolytic notes that develop during bottle aging. The mineral finish is awe-inspiring—a distinctive chalky character that speaks directly to its terroir, lingering pleasantly and inviting the next sip.
This Champagne is exciting because the equal blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir creates perfect harmony in the glass. The Chardonnay brings finesse and lightness, while the Pinot Noir provides backbone with body and structure. Three years of aging develop those gorgeous brioche notes while maintaining the wine’s freshness and vitality. This price point represents remarkable value for a grower champagne of this quality.
Best Enjoyed: This Champagne shines brightest at 8–10°C, paired with fresh oysters or, my favorite discovery, a plate of aged Comté cheese. It’s also delightful with light seafood dishes—think pan-seared scallops with a light citrus butter sauce.
Ployez-Jacquemart: Artisanal Excellence in Ludes
Nestled in the charming village of Ludes, in the heart of Montagne de Reims, Ployez-Jacquemart has been crafting exceptional champagnes since 1930. Under the guidance of Laurence Ployez, the third-generation winemaker, the house has developed a distinctive style that I’d describe as classically precise with a romantic touch.
Their Extra Brut Passion cuvée, introduced in 2004, represents a fascinating approach to champagne production. What sets it apart is its unique combination of traditional and innovative techniques.
Technical Details – Extra Brut Passion:
- Composition: 45% Pinot Noir, 35% Chardonnay, 20% Pinot Meunier
- Unique feature: 25% oak-aged wines blended with the current vintage
- Aging: “Sur pointe” method with manual bottle rotation
- Dosage: 4 g/l (Extra Brut)
- Price: €44.75
- Region: Montagne de Reims
Tasting Notes: The Passion cuvée lives up to its name from the moment it’s poured. Its deep golden hue catches the light beautifully while bubbles rise in an elegant, unhurried procession—a visual preview of the wine’s gravitas. This is c champagne that demands attention.
The bouquet is captivating. It reminds me of walking past a Parisian patisserie—that gorgeous mélange of toasted almonds and honey-drizzled pastries. But there’s also something more profound: ripe yellow fruits that suggest careful grape selection and perfect harvest timing. Each time I return to the glass, I find something new to contemplate.
The palate is where this Champagne truly justifies its premium positioning. It’s a study in contrasts: rich and full-bodied, yet with an almost ethereal elegance. The flavor progression is fascinating—it opens with baked apple and brioche notes, transitions through subtle honey sweetness, and concludes with a refreshing mineral drive that prevents any hint of heaviness. The texture is remarkably creamy, yet the acidity keeps everything precisely balanced. This is a champagne that makes you pause and savor each sip.
What fascinates me about this Champagne is its unique production method. Including 25% oak-aged wines adds complexity and depth. In contrast, the “sur pointe” aging method—where bottles are manually rotated, and the wine has minimal contact with the lees—preserves incredible freshness. This technique requires significant manual effort but results in Champagne that combines complexity with vibrant freshness in a way I’ve rarely encountered.
The lower dosage of 4g/l allows the true character of the base wines to shine through while maintaining perfect balance. It’s a masterclass in how traditional champagne-making techniques can be thoughtfully adapted to create something innovative and classical.
Best Enjoyed: Serve this one slightly warmer than you might expect—around 10–12°C—to fully appreciate its complexity. While it’s luxurious enough to enjoy on its own, it shines with food. I’d pair it with something equally sophisticated: a wild mushroom risotto, aged Gouda, or even roasted poultry with truffle. The wine has the structure to handle more decadent flavors while maintaining its distinct character.
Recent Developments
House Du Champagne’s transition to new ownership in 2023 has infused fresh energy into its mission. The new team’s diverse expertise upholds the founding principle of making exceptional Champagne accessible to Dutch consumers. Their commitment to personal service and expert curation remains steadfast as they expand their portfolio of carefully chosen producers.
Conclusion
House Du Champagne’s genuine commitment to champagne education and accessibility is impressive. Their catalog doesn’t merely list bottles—it showcases carefully selected treasures that embody the true spirit of Champagne’s artisanal producers. The two samples I’ve tasted exemplify the high standards they maintain in their selection process.
Their mission to have “a bottle of champagne in every refrigerator” may sound ambitious, but after savoring these wines, I fully grasp their enthusiasm. These champagnes deserve to be enjoyed not just on special occasions but whenever one craves a moment of genuine quality and pleasure.
Thanks again for sending me these bottles!
More information about House Du Champagne: https://www.houseduchampagne.nl/
