The Estate

The Moussé family has been vine growers for generations, but settled in the commune of Cuisles in 1880, and started bottling under its own label in 1923. Cédric Moussé is the current proprietor, and the fourth-generation winemaker at the estate. Typical to the commune, of the 5.5 hectares of vineyards under the estate’s ownership, the majority are planted with Pinot Meunier (83%) and the rest with Pinot Noir (14%) and Chardonnay (3%). The production also include grapes from vineyards the estate does not own, but these are all farmed and worked by Cédric’s team, and the entire crop used in the estate’s wines benefit from the same viticultural treatment.

Cédric places a strong emphasis on respecting the environment and working in a sustainable way, and a new winery completed in 2012 were designed with such objectives in mind. It features solar panels on the roof that power the winery and 2 houses on site, a ground couple heat exchanger that enables temperature control with geothermal energy, and the estate utilises underground spring water for all its needs. Lighter bottles are used to limit CO2 emission.

The estate joined the Club Trésors de Champagne in 2005, and now produces two Spécial Club Champagnes that are the tête de cuvée of the estate, the 100% Pinot Meunier Spécial Club, and the 100% Pinot Meunier Spécial Club Rosé de Saignée. The Champagne Moussé Fils wines are typically rich and powerful with a ripe fruit profile, yet increasingly balanced and refined. While the wines, particularly the two Spécial Club Champagnes, can benefit from further ageing, they are ready to drink a year after disgorging. The Moussé Champagnes elevate Pinot Meunier from mere supporting cast to the star of the show.

Viticulture and Vinification

Consistent with Cédric’s philosophy, the vineyards are farmed organically with an aim to maintain a healthy soil. Plantings are done according to the lunar calendars, and cover crops are planted to encourage bio diversity. No herbicides are used, with essential oils used to treat wood diseases instead.

During harvest, special harvesting tools are used to limit oxidation in order to reduce the use of sulphur. The grapes are pressed in a pneumatic press, and the wines are vinified in tank with all the Champagnes going through malolactic fermentation apart from the Spécial Club Rosé de Saignée and reds. The wines are filtered with earth filters and not fined. All the Champagnes have low to zero dosage.

Wines Produced

L’oR d’Eugène

Named after the founder of the estate, this is a perpetual blend of reserve wines with 80% Pinot Meunier and 20% Pinot Noir from vineyards in Cuisles, Jonquery, and Châtillon-sur-Marne. A wine to showcase the house style. Aged for 18 months.

Rosé Effusion

A perpetual blend rosé of red and white reserve wines of 92% Pinot Meunier and 8% Pinot Noir from vineyards in Cuisles, Jonquery, and Châtillon-sur-Marne. Aged for 22 months on average and a rosé for earlier drinking.

L’Extra Or (Dégorgement Tardif)

A late disgorged version of L’Or d’Eugène. The blend is aged on lees for 48 months before release and is of a lower dosage than the L’Or d’Eugène. A more complex, rich, and rounded style compared to the L’Or d’Eugène, showing how well Pinot Meunier can age.

Anecdote

A 100% Chardonnay Blanc de Blancs Champagne from the Lieux-dits of Les Varosses in Cuisles and Les Terres Rouges in Jonquery. This is a small production Champagne that is aged 36 months before release. A rich and concentrated champagne that will show its potential with ageing.

Les Vignes de mon Village

A 100% Pinot Meunier Champagne from vineyards in Cuisles, and aged in bottle with a natural cork until disgorgement. A wine with finesse and refinement that is bottle with zero dosage.

Terre d’Illite

A wine from the green clay (Illite) terroir of Cuisles, this 95% Pinot Meunier 5% Pinot Noir blend from 23 plots is aged for 50 months before release. A richer style and vintage wine.

Spécial Club

The first 100% Pinot Meunier wine to be admitted as a Special Club wine by the Club Trésors de Champagne. Aged for a minimum of 40 months from 4 plots from a single place called “Les Fortes Terres”, this is a Vintage Champagne of outstanding quality and benefits from ageing.

Spécial Club Rosé de Saignée

A 100% Pinot Meunier Rosé de Saignée, a vintage rosé meeting the demanding criteria of a Special Club Chamapgne. Aged for 36 months, unlike the other Champagnes in the range this does not go through malolactic fermentation. A deep and rich Rosé Champagne.

Ratafia

A 100% Pinot Meunier Ratafia made with a secret recipe and with the estate’s homemade Marc de Champagne. Almost port-like and excellent with strong cheeses and dessert.

Critical Praise

“Cédric Moussé's Champagnes keep getting better and better. The wines have always been powerful, but in recent years I am seeing a greater sense of finesse, purity and focus than was once the case. This is an estate to watch.”

Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com

“I was extremely impressed by these elegant, understatedly serious releases from Pinot Meunier specialist Moussé Fils.”

William Kelley, The Wine Advocate

GENERAL INFORMATION

Country:  France

Region:  Champagne 

Appellation:  Vallée de la Marne

Founded:  1923

Annual Production: 7,500 cases

Farming: Practicing Organic