Located on Champagne's Montagne de Reims, in Vrigny (a Premier Cru designated commune), sits Domaine Roger Coulon, established over two centuries ago. Today, Eric and Isabelle Coulon and their children, Louise and Edgar, meticulously tend to their vines. In contrast to the region's conventional approaches, the owners of Roger Coulon practise organic viticulture on their eleven hectares and have even made inroads into agroforestry. Yields are carefully controlled, grass grows in the vineyard, and only natural additives are used to preserve the microbial life. In the winery, the techniques align closely with those used in Burgundy. Each variety and each parcel are vinified separately in either stainless steel vats or oak casks. The key aim is to let the terroir express itself with accuracy, authenticity, and distinction through wines of outstanding craftsmanship.

This family Champagne House, Roger Coulon, which was established at the beginning of the 19th century, is located within the Montagne de Reims. The estate produces this red wine - an unusual appearance in a region known for its sparkling wines - from Meunier grapes. As the label suggests, the grapes are grown within the “Le Mont Moine” parcel in the Premier Cru Coulommes-la-Montagne. The vines are carefully grown according to the principles of organic farming which favour yield control, grass cover and natural soil improvers. The vines cover a small area (10.17 ares) at an altitude of between 120 and 150 metres in a south-facing direction. They are encouraged to soak up the nutrients needed for them to flower from sand and chalk soils. Aged for around 50 years, they offer limited but concentrated yields of 35 hl per hectare.
Harvests are carried out by hand and the grapes are meticulously sorted before vinification, which includes the semi-carbonic maceration of whole grapes, indigenous yeast fermentation and natural malolactic fermentation. The wine is aged on lees in small oak barrels for almost two years (22 months) before being bottled using only gravity and without the addition of sulphur.
This wine is delightful with fleshy notes of cherries, small berries and strawberries. A few spicy touches and fine tannins add complexity.