Billecart Salmon Archivi — Enoteca di Piazza

Maison Billecart Salmon was founded in Mareuil-sur-Aÿ in 1818 by Nicolas François Billecart and Elisabeth Salmon, but Louis Salmon, the woman’s brother and a great wine enthusiast, soon joined the company.

Thanks to the dedication and passion with which all productions and commercial activities were carried out, success was not long in coming; In 1900, Billecart Salmon took part in the Universal Exhibition in Paris, a major event dedicated to art and modernity, where successful names such as Ferdinand Porsche and Rudolf Diesel stood out, and great monuments such as the Gare de Lyon, the Gare d’Orsay (now the Musée d’Orsay), the Alexander III Bridge, the Grand Palais, La Ruche and the Petit Palais or the new Paris Metro were born.

An important date marking a real turning point was 1958, when Jean, Billecart’s great-grandson, created a product that was fresher and finer than traditional champagne thanks to the combination of wine and beer production techniques and a different fermentation process (at lower temperatures and lasting longer). His spirit of innovation and foresight led Jean to create the first vintage of the Cuvée Nicolas François and the Brut Rosé, which until then had been considered a second-rate wine.

Since then, Billecart Salmon has enjoyed a period of success, confirmed by the nomination of its 1959 Brut cuvée as Champagne of the millennium and the 200 cuvée, a limited edition Magnum bottle with which the House celebrated 200 years of independence and know-how in 2018.

The grapes used to produce Champagne Billecart Salmon extend for 300 hectares between the Montagne de Reims, the Côte des Blancs and the Marne Valley and include Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier varieties. In each parcel, each vine is carefully managed and cared for with respect for the environment, using traditional methods that involve a real return to the origins. In this regard, Billecart Salmon has reintroduced the use of sheep and draft horses, which allow the soil to improve its porosity and biodiversity, the roots to go deeper and the grapes to be smaller and more concentrated thanks to the minerals extracted.

The vinification, fermentation and ageing process is a perfect synergy between modernity and tradition. Fermentation is slow and takes place in small stainless steel vats that allow the vines and plots to be impeccably traced and the aromatic peculiarities of each terroir to be enhanced. Maturation takes place in 400 barrels and 24 selected foudres that enhance the aromas and exalt the characteristics of each Champagne variety.

The productions of Billecart Salmon include: Champagne Brut Reserve, Champagne Extra Brut and Champagne Rosé.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Maison Billecart Salmon located and in what area of Champagne does it produce?

Billecart Salmon is located in Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, in Champagne. The vineyards supplying its grapes, about 300 hectares, span the Montagne de Reims, the Côte des Blancs and the Marne Valley, and include Champagne's three classic varieties: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier.

Who founded Maison Billecart Salmon? Is it a family business?

Yes: the maison was founded in 1818 in Mareuil-sur-Aÿ by Nicolas François Billecart and Elisabeth Salmon, soon joined by her brother Louis Salmon. In 1958 Jean, a descendant of Billecart, introduced a lower-temperature, longer fermentation process, giving rise to a fresher, finer style, which also led to the first vintage of Cuvée Nicolas François and to Brut Rosé.

What approach do they take in the vineyard at Billecart Salmon?

The winery combines tradition and innovation with a genuine return to its roots: sheep and draft horses have been reintroduced to the vineyards to improve soil porosity and biodiversity, encouraging deeper roots and smaller, more concentrated grapes. Fermentation takes place slowly in small stainless steel tanks, while aging takes place in 400 selected casks and 24 foudres.

What Champagne does Maison Billecart Salmon produce?

The range includes Champagne Brut Réserve, Champagne Extra Brut and Champagne Rosé, the latter having become over the years the maison's signature cuvée. In 2018 Billecart Salmon celebrated its 200th anniversary with Cuvée 200, a limited-edition magnum celebrating the family's independence and know-how.

Is Maison Billecart Salmon a renowned house? Has it received awards?

Yes: Billecart Salmon's 1959 Brut cuvée was named 'Champagne of the millennium', an honor that cemented its international reputation. The maison also took part in the 1900 Paris World's Fair, an event that confirmed its prestige in the Champagne landscape as early as the beginning of the 20th century.