Egly-Ouriet

History of Champagne Egly-Ouriet

Founded after the Second World War, the Champagne Egly-Ouriet house is the fruit of a long family tradition. In 1945, Francis Egly's grandfather began cultivating three hectares of vines in the prestigious grand cru of Ambonnay, in the Montagne de Reims. This modest starting point evolved over the generations, with additional land acquisitions — notably through marriages and purchases — allowing the family to expand its estate to 12 hectares, of which 10 hectares are classified as grand cru. Among these acquisitions is the celebrated Crayères plot, where vines planted more than 60 years ago lend the wines a unique depth and complexity.

Francis Egly, who now leads the house, passionately carries on his father Michel's vision, always seeking to highlight the singular character of each terroir. A pioneer in the use of winemaking techniques without malolactic fermentation, he has succeeded in marrying tradition and innovation to produce champagnes aged for extended periods in the cellar — some for more than six years — guaranteeing unparalleled maturity and richness.

Terroirs and Vines of Champagne Egly-Ouriet

The Champagne Egly-Ouriet estate is built on exceptional terroirs, primarily located in the grand crus of Ambonnay, Bouzy and Verzenay, as well as in the premier cru of Vrigny, where Pinot Meunier reigns supreme. The chalk-rich soils of the Montagne de Reims play a crucial role in the mineral expression of the wines, offering a tension and freshness typical of champagnes from this region. 

The vines of Egly-Ouriet, with an average age of 40 years, benefit from sustainable and environmentally respectful cultivation methods. Francis Egly pays particular attention to biodiversity and soil quality, refusing the use of chemical fertilizers and practicing pruning that deliberately limits yields to guarantee exceptional aromatic concentration. Among these remarkable plots is the Crayères, where old Pinot Noir vines, deeply rooted in the chalk, produce grapes of great purity, conferring an unrivalled mineral power to the cuvées.

Winemaking at Champagne Egly-Ouriet

The winemaking process at Egly-Ouriet reflects a unique expertise, combining respect for Champagne traditions with a constant pursuit of quality. The house distinguishes itself through its barrel fermentation, using oak barrels aged 1 to 5 years for certain cuvées — a rare practice in Champagne that enriches the aromatic complexity of the wines while preserving their natural freshness. Malolactic fermentation is not sought, in order to preserve the fresh and vibrant acidity that gives Egly-Ouriet champagnes their so characteristic elegance.

Each step of the winemaking process is carefully controlled to best reveal the identity of the terroirs. The second fermentation takes place slowly in the cellar, and the wines age on lees for several years, with a minimum of 36 months and up to 10 years for the most prestigious cuvées. This long aging on lees brings exceptional aromatic richness, enhanced by a fine and delicate bubble.

The champagnes are neither fined nor filtered before bottling, thus preserving the full aromatic integrity of the wines. Finally, the dosage remains very low, or even non-existent for certain extra-brut cuvées, in order to allow the full purity of the fruit and terroir to express itself.

The Cuvées of Champagne Egly-Ouriet

The range of Egly-Ouriet champagnes is composed of varied cuvées, each highlighting a specific terroir or grape variety, while retaining the elegant and complex signature of the house.

Champagne 1er Cru Vignes de Vrigny: A 100% Pinot Meunier cuvée, sourced exclusively from the premier cru terroir of Vrigny. This champagne reveals exotic and brioche notes, with a creamy and sophisticated palate.

Champagne Brut Grand Cru: Composed of 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay, this champagne is a model of balance between power and finesse. Aged on lees for nearly a year, it stands out for its complex aromas of pineapple, mango and brioche.

Champagne Brut Rosé: A blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay with a touch of reserve red wine. This rosé reveals indulgent aromas of raspberry, apricot and pastry cream, enhanced by a lively acidity and a fine mousse.

Champagne Grand Cru V.P. Extra Brut: This wine, after more than seven years of aging on lees, reveals an impressive complexity, with a minimal dosage of 2g/L. The power of the Pinot Noir harmonises perfectly with the finesse of the Chardonnay, for a rich and structured champagne.

Champagne Grand Cru Millésimé: Sourced from the finest years, this vintage reveals notes of roasted almonds and dried fruits. An opulent and powerful champagne, marked by a great persistence on the palate.

Champagne Blanc de Noirs Vieilles Vignes Les Crayères: This 100% Pinot Noir comes from vines planted in 1946 on an exceptional terroir in Ambonnay. The chalky minerality of the soil brings a rare finesse and elegance to this champagne of great intensity.

Coteaux Champenois Ambonnay

The most remarkable vintages of the Champagne appellation since the 1980s include: 1982, 1985, 1989, 1990, 1996, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2008, 2012, 2015, and 2018. These years stand out for their exceptional climatic conditions, producing champagnes of great finesse, aromatic complexity, and excellent aging potential.

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Champagne Egly-Ouriet, a true gem of the Montagne de Reims, stands as a reference for lovers of characterful champagnes. Through meticulous work both in the vineyard and in the cellar, the house offers cuvées of unparalleled elegance and complexity. Whether you are looking for an expressive rosé champagne, an intense blanc de noirs or an exceptional vintage, every bottle of Egly-Ouriet is a promise of refined pleasure, to be discovered and savoured without restraint.