11 June 2015 Today's Throwback Thursday revisits a list of approved grower champagnes from nine years ago. The collection of about 100 tasting notes on current 'artisan' champagnes (most of them produced by those producers deemed récoltant-manipulants with the initials RM on the label) also published today includes a few additional names but, since there are so many growers with only a small proportion of them good winemakers, we reckon all information is helpful.
7 July 2006 I thought it would be useful to publish this updated list of growers who produce superior champagne since they generally offer much better value than the big houses. It is based on one kindly supplied by David Schildknecht of Ohio, which includes those wines imported into the US by Terry Theise via Skurnik Wines, but I have added some more names.
Michael Arnould, Verzenay
A Aubry, Jouy-lès-Reims
Paul Bara, Bouzy
Beaufort, Ambonnay
Henri Billiot, Ambonnay
Bonnaire, Cramant
Boulard, Cauroy-les-Hermonville
Chartogne-Taillet, Merfy
Gaston Chiquet, Dizy
Clos de la Chapelle, Villedommange
André Clouet, Bouzy
Paul Clouet, Bouzy
Diebolt-Vallois, Cramant
J Dumangin, Chigny-lès-Roses
Egly-Ouriet, Ambonnay
Fleury, Courteron (Aube, organic)
Gatinois, Aÿ
René Geoffroy, Cumières
Pierre Gimonnet, Cuis
Gosset-Brabant, Aÿ
Hostomme, Chouilly
Jean Lallement, Verzenay
Lancelot-Royer, Cramant
Guy Larmandier, Cramant
Larmandier-Bernier, Vertus
J Lassalle, Chigny-lès-Roses
Launois Père et Fils, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger
Lilbert, Cramant
A Margaine, Villers-Marmery
Serge Mathieu, Avirey-Lingey (Aube)
Jean Milan, Oger
Pierre Moncuit, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger
Pierre Peters, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger
Jérôme Prévost, Gueux
Alain Robert, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger
Camille Savès, Bouzy
Jacques (Anselme) Selosse, Avize
Tarlant, Oeuilly
Michel Turgy, Le Mesnil
Varnier-Fannière, Avize
Georges Vesselle, Bouzy
Jean Vesselle, Bouzy
Vilmart, Rilly-la-Montagne