Salima & Alain Cordeuil

The History of Champagne Salima & Alain Cordeuil

The story of the Champagne Salima & Alain Cordeuil estate began in 2009, when Salima and Alain, whose backgrounds lay far from wine—literature for her and psychology for him—answered the call of the land. Settling in Noé-les-Mallets in the Aube, they took over some of Alain’s family vineyards but chose to forge their own path, away from traditional dogma. In 2011, they produced their first wines, beginning a winemaking journey guided by a clear vision: respect nature and give things time. In 2012, they began converting their 4 hectares of vineyards to organic farming, receiving Ecocert certification in 2015. Their rejection of chemical processes, exclusive use of native yeasts and minimal addition of sulfur attest to their commitment to pure, authentic wines. Today, their Champagnes, made in limited quantities (around 10,000 bottles a year), appeal to an international audience, from Michelin-starred restaurants in France to connoisseurs abroad.

Terroirs and Vineyards of Champagne Salima & Alain Cordeuil

The Salima & Alain Cordeuil estate enjoys an exceptional terroir in the Côte des Bar, a subregion of Champagne closer to Burgundy than to the major houses of Reims or Épernay. Located in Noé-les-Mallets at elevations of up to 350 meters, the estate’s vines thrive in marl-limestone soils, giving the wines distinctive minerality and vibrant freshness. The estate’s 4 hectares, divided among six parcels, are planted mainly with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, with vines averaging between 25 and 65 years of age. A few young Pinot Blanc vines add to their range. Farmed organically since 2012, the vineyards are tended like a garden, using respectful practices such as natural ground cover, green composting and horses to plow the soil. This gentle approach, combined with controlled yields (40–50 hL/ha), ensures grapes of exceptional quality, rich in sugar and aromas and ready to express the full character of their terroir.

Winemaking at Champagne Salima & Alain Cordeuil

Winemaking at Salima & Alain Cordeuil is a tribute to patience and natural methods. True to their philosophy, they reject chemical interventions, favoring a minimalist approach that lets the terroir speak. The grapes, hand-harvested at optimal ripeness, ferment spontaneously with their native yeasts, without chaptalization or added sulfur. The still base wines rest on their lees for 12 months in stainless steel tanks or, for certain cuvées, large wooden casks, developing aromatic complexity and a silky texture. Secondary fermentation in the bottle takes place without added yeast nutrients, and every cuvée is made as Brut Nature, with no dosage, to preserve its purity. Extended aging on the lees for at least 4 to 5 years gives the Champagnes rare depth and elegance. Since 2019, the introduction of large wooden casks has added another dimension to their wines, enhancing their vinous character while remaining true to their precise, harmonious style.

The cuvées of Champagne Salima & Alain Cordeuil

The estate offers three exceptional cuvées, each reflecting its distinctive terroir and its makers’ exacting standards. Here are detailed descriptions to guide your wine purchase:

Light and Shadow

A blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from two 30-year-old parcels in Noé-les-Mallets, this cuvée is a fresh, full-bodied white Champagne. With no dosage (0 g/L), it displays a yellow-gold color with straw highlights, fine bubbles and a delicate ring of foam. On the nose, aromas of toast, acacia honey, lemon, peach, quince, almond, hawthorn blossom, blackcurrant, grapefruit and smoky limestone form a complex bouquet. The palate opens rich and fresh, with creamy effervescence and lemony acidity. Marl-limestone minerality brings salinity, clarity and length, suggesting excellent aging potential. A perfect pairing: turbot fillet with a creamy licorice sauce or tournedos Rossini.

Origins

Origins, a blend of 65% Chardonnay and 35% Pinot Noir from the Val Prouse and Hauts de Morival parcels (65 years old) in Ville-sur-Arce and Fontette, is a full-bodied white Champagne. Its fluid, luminous pale yellow color with silver highlights is accompanied by fine bubbles. The nose reveals notes of smoky limestone, blackcurrant, plum, violet, lemon, pear, hazelnut, anise and sweet spices. On the palate, the entry is supple and fresh, with generous fruit supported by vibrant acidity and marl-limestone minerality that brings volume and salinity. This distinguished Champagne pairs beautifully with honey-glazed lamb shank or veal fillet with porcini sauce.

Altitude 320m

Made from Pinot Noir grown on a south-facing parcel in Noé-les-Mallets (35 years old), this single-parcel cuvée with no dosage is a fresh, full-bodied white wine. Its luminous, dense pale yellow-gold color is enlivened by fine bubbles. The nose offers aromas of red apple, plum, honeysuckle, cherry, grapefruit, almond and fresh pear. On the palate, the entry is crisp, with integrated effervescence and crunchy fruit, underscored by marl-limestone minerality that lends texture and tension. Perfect with beef carpaccio seasoned with Timut pepper or sea bream tartare with pink peppercorns.

Altitude 350m

Made from Chardonnay grown on a west-facing parcel in Noé-les-Mallets (25 years old), this single-parcel cuvée is a fresh, full-bodied white Champagne with no dosage. Its luminous pale yellow-gold color is accompanied by fine bubbles and a delicate ring of foam. The nose is still restrained but hints at promising development. On the palate, the entry is lively, with creamy effervescence and marl-limestone minerality that lends elegance and length. This promising Champagne will pair well with refined dishes such as white fish or poultry in a light sauce.

The Champagne Salima & Alain Cordeuil estate is a tribute to patience, nature and authenticity. When you buy their wines, you invest in exceptional Champagnes, carefully crafted with respect for the terroir of the Côte des Bar. Each cuvée—whether Light and Shadow, Origins or the single-parcel Altitude wines—embodies the vision of a passionate couple who tend their vines like a garden and let time shape unique wines. For lovers of organic wines, Champagnes with no dosage and profound tasting experiences, this estate is an essential reference. Explore their range now at Vins & Millésimes and enjoy the best prices on these treasures of Champagne!