Champagne Denis Salomon

Champagne Denis Salomon – A family heritage serving a distinctive Champagne

Domain name

Champagne Denis Salomon

Wine region

Marne Valley – Champagne

Appellations and terroirs

The Champagne Denis Salomon vineyard spans 4.8 hectares across six emblematic villages of the Marne Valley: Vandières, Venteuil, Reuil, Damery, Festigny, and Dormans. These diverse terroirs combine chalk, clay, silt, and sand soils, depending on the exposure and topography of each plot. This fragmentation, spread across 23 parcels in total, allows Nicolas Salomon to cultivate each plot individually, revealing the aromatic nuances and unique character of each cru. The temperate Champagne climate, the southeast-facing slopes, and the natural water reserves in the chalky subsoil promote balanced grape ripening.

Iconic grape varieties

Pinot Meunier reigns supreme, accounting for approximately 60% of the plantings, complemented by 30% Chardonnay and 10% Pinot Noir. This choice, true to the identity of the Marne Valley, reflects a deliberate desire to highlight the fruity character and roundness of Meunier, while also showcasing the finesse of Chardonnay and the structure of Pinot Noir.

Philosophy and History

The house's roots lie in 1875, when Albert Salomon, originally from Savoy, settled in Vandières. A passion for winemaking has been passed down through the generations: Georges, then Adrien, continued the family tradition. In 1974, Denis Salomon officially founded the eponymous house with his wife, Odile. In 2004, their son, Nicolas, returned to the estate, determined to breathe new life into it. An independent winemaker at heart, he modernized the approach both in the cellar and in the vineyard, with an obsession for precision, expressing the terroir, and respecting all living things. His work is guided by a profound desire: to produce a sincere, free, and traceable Champagne.

Production specifics

The estate practices meticulous plot-by-plot vinification. The juices are slowly pressed using a traditional Champagne press, ensuring gentle extraction. Alcoholic fermentation takes place in small, temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks or in oak barrels sourced exclusively from the Tonnellerie de Champagne. Since 2012, Nicolas has chosen to stop malolactic fermentation to preserve the tension, freshness, and natural vibrancy of the wines. The cuvées then rest on their lees for several months, sometimes in large oak casks, sometimes in tanks or amphorae, depending on their character.

The estate neither fines nor filters the wine, and wine transfers are kept to a minimum, favoring gravity-flow winemaking. Each wine is aged at its own pace, with very moderate dosage (brut nature, extra-brut) so as never to mask the terroir's identity. Since 2013, small-scale barrel fermentations have been initiated for certain vineyard sites. A solera system was also implemented in 2005 to enrich the reserve wines with complexity and depth.

Environmental commitment

Nicolas Salomon committed the estate to a serious ecological transition very early on. He adopted sustainable viticulture practices upon his arrival, and subsequently obtained the High Environmental Value (HVE) and Sustainable Viticulture in Champagne certifications. Soil cultivation is prioritized, with controlled natural ground cover, the elimination of insecticides and fungicides, and a drastic reduction in herbicide use. The estate discharges no effluent and treats all its waste. Phytosanitary monitoring is rigorous, with intervention thresholds defined according to the actual needs of the vine. This respectful approach aims to preserve the microbial life of the soil and promote deep root development of the vines, guaranteeing the expression of the terroir.

Recognitions

Champagne Denis Salomon is renowned for the finesse and purity of its wines. A certified Independent Winemaker since 1996, it appeals to lovers of terroir-driven, precise, and non-standardized Champagnes. The consistent quality of its cuvées, the deliberate choice of vinification without malolactic fermentation, extended aging, and the absence of added sugar make the estate a sure bet for discerning palates. Iconic cuvées such as "L'Élémentaire," "Le Fût de Chêne," and "Vitalie" demonstrate the estate's ability to combine freshness, tension, and complexity.

Each bottle of Denis Salomon Champagne reflects a terroir, a vintage, and a commitment. It tells a story: that of a free-spirited, deeply rooted winemaker, intensely attuned to his land. A signature Champagne, conceived for both enjoying at the table and sharing, always driven by the pursuit of balance between power, elegance, and minerality.

Why choose a wine from Champagne Denis Salomon?

• An independent family home for 5 generations
• Terroirs of the Marne Valley cultivated on a plot-by-plot basis
• A winemaking process without malolactic fermentation for more tension
• Complex aging processes in barrels, casks, amphorae and stainless steel
• High Environmental Value (HVE) certified viticulture that respects living organisms
• Wines that are expressive, refined, and gastronomic.

Discover the selection of wines from Champagne Denis Salomon and let yourself be seduced by their mineral freshness, vibrant tension, and unique depth. Champagnes of character, to be savored mindfully.