Using the phone's Maps function, we find our way to the Henriot house at 81 rue Coquebert. Behind a gate, a loading dock is hidden, and further inside are pallets and the entrance to the actual production area. It's Friday, and the workday is drawing to a close. The house's PR manager, Béatrice Brossier, gives a presentation, showing images and recounting the house's history. She proudly points to the fine vineyards. She has just brought out the first bottle for tasting, the house's non-vintage Henriot Brut Souverain, when the winemaker, Laurent Fresnet, joins us. The champagne is exquisite and impressive. When it's time to try the prestige champagne, La Cuvée des Enchanteleurs 2000, it's no longer easy to spit.
Unfortunately, we won't have the opportunity to go down into the cellar this time, and production is also closed for the day. Of course, we would have liked to take an extra look at the tank where Cuvé 38 is created. But instead, the wine will have to speak for itself.
A true fan of the house is entrepreneur and chef Pontus Frithiof, who sells vast amounts of champagne at his restaurants. That he also travels here to cook at the house's new Château Les Aulnois is proof of a fruitful collaboration.
The story of the house
The Henriot family was active in the textile industry and as wine merchants when they moved to Champagne in the mid-17th century. They began to buy vineyards, and their interest grew. When Apolline, wife of Nicolas Henriot, was widowed, she decided in 1808 to establish the house of Veuve Henriot Ainé. The family had fine Chardonnay vineyards, but in 1880, when Apolline's grandson Ernest Henriot married Marie Marguet, she brought fine Pinot Noir vineyards into the marriage. The house's recipe for success was born: a champagne with equal parts of the two grapes, aged for at least three years.
The house is currently run by Joseph Henriot, who was previously a manager at neighbouring house Veuve Clicquot, with whom they also have a connection via the cellar passages. In total, Henriot has around six kilometres of beautiful cellars. The house's winemaker, Laurent Fresnet, is a passionate man who last year received the title IWC Sparkling Winemaker of the Year.
Address: 81 rue Coquebert, Reims
About the wine
The house's focus is on the highest quality champagne. In the Non-Vintage champagne that Henriot produces, 60-70 per cent of the grapes come from Grand Cru vineyards, which can be compared to 30 per cent for many other houses. In total, they own 35 hectares of vineyards, but 80 per cent of the grapes are purchased from growers, most of whom have had contracts with the house for several generations. Annual production stands at 1.5 million bottles.
Champagne tips
- Henriot Souverain Brut, no. 81466
Green apples sit alongside toast on the nose and the palate offers fine acidity with apple and grapefruit. Very high standard. - Henriot Cuvée des Enchanteleurs 2000
Delicate and mature with yellow apples, soft tannins and fine acidity. Elegant craftsmanship.
