The House of Billecart-Salmon Champagne

Family-Run Elegance Since 1818
Billecart-Salmon is a historic, family-owned Champagne house founded in 1818 by Nicolas François Billecart and Elisabeth Salmon. Situated in the charming village of Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, just outside Épernay, the House has remained under the careful stewardship of the Billecart family for over seven generations—a testament to its unwavering commitment to tradition, quality, and a distinctly graceful style of Champagne.

A Revered Heritage and Signature Style

From its early days, Billecart-Salmon has been guided by a dedication to meticulous viticulture and a gentle, precise winemaking process. The House places particular emphasis on cool, slow fermentations in order to preserve the delicate aromatic and textural nuances of the grapes. This approach, coupled with careful blending of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier from Premier and Grand Cru vineyards, results in a Champagne style prized for its finesse, freshness, and balanced fruit.

Notable Cuvées

• Brut Réserve
  The cornerstone of Billecart-Salmon’s range, this non-vintage brut offers a lively mousse and elegant notes of orchard fruit, citrus, and subtle brioche. Its understated sophistication reflects the House’s focus on harmony and purity.
• Brut Rosé
  Renowned as one of the finest rosé Champagnes in the region, it boasts delicate flavours of fresh berries, floral hints, and a refined, persistent finish. Its signature pale salmon hue highlights the careful blending and extended ageing on the lees.
• Nicolas François Billecart
  A prestige cuvée honouring the House’s founder, typically vintage-dated and Pinot Noir-forward. It exemplifies depth and structure, unveiling complex notes of ripe orchard fruit, toasted nuts, and a graceful, lingering minerality.
• Elisabeth Salmon Rosé
  A vintage prestige rosé dedicated to co-founder Elisabeth Salmon. This cuvée showcases a poised, intricate bouquet of red berries, white flowers, and hints of pastry, underpinned by a fresh, chalky backbone.

Low-Temperature Fermentation and Craftsmanship

One of Billecart-Salmon’s defining techniques is its commitment to low-temperature fermentation, which can extend the fermentation period and encourage subtle aromatic development. This painstaking approach, combined with small-scale vinification of different parcels, allows for nuanced blending that highlights each vineyard’s unique character. The result is a family of Champagnes that consistently balance youthful vibrancy with age-worthy complexity.

Enduring Prestige

Billecart-Salmon’s reputation for excellence has made it a favourite among sommeliers, connoisseurs, and Michelin-starred establishments worldwide. Even as the House continues to evolve—experimenting with single-vineyard bottlings and refining its approach to sustainable viticulture—it remains firmly rooted in the values that have guided it since 1818: precision, integrity, and a quest for impeccable taste.