Andre Jacquart might not be a famous name (yet), but the family is the largest landholder in Le Mesnil. With the wealth of raw materials available to them, and the pioneering leadership of Andre’s granddaughter,... Read More

Andre Jacquart might not be a famous name (yet), but the family is the largest landholder in Le Mesnil. With the wealth of raw materials available to them, and the pioneering leadership of Andre’s granddaughter, Marie Doyard, they are set to become one.

You might recognize the Doyard name. Marie is the great-great-granddaughter of Maurice Doyard, and her cousin Guillaume Doyard runs Champagne Doyard. Maurice founded the CIVC, the all-powerful governing body responsible for molding Champagne as we know it to be today. He was also the first to bottle wine from his family’s extensive holding of top sites (which they’d been farming since 1677!!).

The vineyards now under Marie’s control are the best plots of Le Mesnil, purchased back in 1905 by Andre, long before Salon and Krug staked their claims here. Add to this some prime parcels gifted by her father Pascal Doyard, to help his daughter’s vision of crafting excellent Champagne. She gets her pick of the very best grapes every harvest and sells the rest to the big houses.

Marie has implemented quality-minded changes in the cellar as well. Chardonnay for the vintage wines is fermented in used Meursault barrels for those gorgeous oxidative notes of brioche and pie crust (think Bollinger and Krug), along with greater stability and longevity. Aging has been extended for more umami, savory character — wines are aged at least 6 years sur latte before disgorgement. And finally, dosage is used sparingly as a cohesive element rather than a sweetener.