Michel Laval

History of Champagne Michel Laval

The history of Champagne Michel Laval is rooted in 1870, when Jules Laval, great-great-grandfather of the current generation, inherited 40 ares of agricultural land in Boursault and decided to cultivate the vine, supported by his son Lucien. This family adventure took on a new dimension in 1948, when Roger Laval (Jules's grandson) and his wife Fabienne (Lucien's daughter) decided to produce their own Champagne, marking a founding turning point. Roger would thereafter never stop exploring the diversity of Boursault's terroirs to create cuvées with a strong identity.

In 1979, Michel Laval, son of Roger and representing the fourth generation, embraced his destiny in turn by creating his own brand "Champagne Michel Laval", perpetuating family values while modernising viticultural practices. For decades, vinification was carried out at the cooperative. The major turning point came in 2019, when Aurore and Florian, Michel's children, took over and embarked on a true quality revolution: bringing vinification back to the domaine, eliminating herbicides and insecticides, and introducing compost and green manures. Aurore works closely with the vineyard while Florian focuses primarily on winemaking and sales.

Terroirs and Vineyards of Champagne Michel Laval

The vineyard of Champagne Michel Laval extends over 6.5 hectares in Boursault, an emblematic village of the Vallée de la Marne located to the west of Épernay, on the left bank of the river. Boursault enjoys a singular reputation, sometimes nicknamed "the Burgundy of Champagne" owing to the geological complexity of its terroirs: sandy-clay, heavy clay and silty-clay soils, which bring depth, richness and personality to the wines. The estate is situated on the left bank of the valley, with a predominantly northerly exposure, ideal for preserving the freshness and minerality of the grapes.

The grape varieties reflect the signature of Boursault: 70% Meunier (the king grape variety of the Vallée de la Marne, which thrives particularly well on these fresh and clay soils), 28% Pinot Noir and 2% Chardonnay. Vineyard management is resolutely respectful of biodiversity: elimination of insecticide treatments in favour of sexual confusion to protect the vines, elimination of herbicides in favour of mechanical weeding, and the introduction of composts and green manures to breathe new life into the soils. This progressive approach reflects a commitment to producing sincere, vibrant and emotion-filled Champagnes, deeply rooted in their terroir.

Winemaking at Champagne Michel Laval

In the cellar, Florian Laval applies a respectful winemaking approach, faithful to the purity of the grape and the terroir. Harvesting is entirely manual. Alcoholic fermentations are conducted exclusively with indigenous yeasts naturally present on the berries, without any enrichment of the musts. Malolactic fermentation is not sought, in order to preserve the freshness and characteristic tension of the wines. No filtration or clarification of the base wines is carried out, guaranteeing the total integrity of the material.

Vinification takes place primarily in stainless steel tanks to preserve the purity of the fruit, complemented by a portion in barrels to add complexity and patina to certain cuvées. Aging is extended on laths (from 30 months to more than 6 years depending on the cuvée), allowing the Champagnes to gain in depth, aromatic complexity and bubble integration. Dosages are deliberately low (Brut, Extra-Brut, Non Dosé depending on the cuvée). In 2025, approximately 35% of production is destined for the domaine's own cuvées, the remainder still being sold as grapes or through the cooperative, with the ambition of further increasing the share of personal vinification over time.

The cuvées of Champagne Michel Laval

The Tradition Brut cuvée is the house's historic signature, crafted from the three Champagne grape varieties (40% Pinot Noir, 40% Meunier, 20% Chardonnay) sourced from the Boursault vineyards. Vinification on a vintage base complemented by approximately 30% reserve wines, extended aging on laths (at least 36 months, sometimes up to 72 months), dosage at 6 to 8 g/l. A brilliant golden robe with copper nuances, a delicate nose of honey and cooked fruits, a vinous palate with fine tension and a saline finish. A Champagne for aperitif and gastronomy, a perfect crowd-pleaser for convivial occasions.

The L'Extra Brut cuvée is the more taut and precise version of the range, crafted from the same blend of 40% Meunier, 40% Pinot Noir and 20% Chardonnay, but with a minimal Extra-Brut dosage. Discreet effervescence, a nose of white fruits, a vinous and honeyed touch, a palate in its full expression with flavours of honey, white fruits and a good acidic backbone. Fresh and sapid finish.

The Rosé Les Filles des Vendanges cuvée is a Brut Rosé Champagne crafted by blending Meunier (for its crunchiness), Pinot Noir (for its fruitiness) and Chardonnay (for its mineral edge). Vinification in stainless steel tanks on a single vintage with the addition of 25% reserve wine, aging on lees for more than 30 months, dosage at 8 g/l. An intense salmon robe, a nose of red fruits and delicate floral notes, a fleshy and broad palate with delicate vivacity.

The Olim Rosé Extra-Brut cuvée is a prestige cuvée crafted 100% from Meunier, in an authentic and identity-driven expression of the king grape variety of Boursault. A semi-intense pink robe, a discreet nose of strawberry and red fruits, an elegant and precise palate, with a long and saline finish. A fine expression of Meunier rosé in an Extra-Brut approach.

The Symposium cuvée is one of the three new signatures launched by Florian and Aurore since their takeover in 2019. Crafted from the finest parcels of the domaine, it illustrates their modern and quality-driven vision of Champagne de Boursault, with a controlled dosage and extended aging. An auteur cuvée, conceived for discerning enthusiasts.

The Ut Prius cuvée (from the Latin "as before") pays tribute to the house's traditional practices, with a return to fundamentals: grapes from the finest parcels, respectful winemaking, extended aging. A contemporary signature that celebrates the ancestral values passed down through the Laval generations.

The Non Dosé Le Secret de Jules cuvée is the house's prestige vintage cuvée, a tribute to great-great-grandfather Jules Laval, founder of the lineage. Vinified without any addition of dosage liqueur (Brut Nature), it offers an expressive and aromatic nose of character, marked by citrus, orange blossom and a lovely vinosity. A palate with aromas of dried fruits and almonds, a persistent length, and a lemony finish. An authentic and identity-driven Champagne, a testament to the purity of the Boursault terroir.