Champagne Egly-Ouriet is renowned for its commitment to traditional, meticulous winemaking practices. Founded in 1930, the estate has evolved into a cult Champagne producer, beloved by connoisseurs around the world, and is now considered one of the finest grower Champagnes. With a focus on single-vineyard, vintage Champagne, Egly-Ouriet emphasizes the expression of terroir, highlighting the unique character of each vineyard parcel. The estate spans 21 hectares, farmed organically or biodynamically, with 10 hectares in the Grand Cru villages of Ambonnay 8 ha, Bouzy 0.3 ha, and Verzenay 1.7 ha. In Premier Cru villages; Vrigny 2 ha, Bisseuil 1.3 ha and recent expansion into Trigny 7.75 ha.
In 1982,
Francis Egly took the helm of the family business, returning it to 100% estate bottling and driving the brand to new heights. In 2008, he further enhanced quality by installing two
Coquard presses, allowing for better control over juice extraction. The juice is then fermented in mostly
older oak barrels, the malolactic fermentation is typically suppressed and the wine spends extended time resting on the lees before blending.
Today, his children, Clémence and Charles, play key roles in the business—
Clémence oversees exports, while Charles manages the vineyards, ensuring the continued legacy of excellence and innovation at Champagne Egly-Ouriet.
Prior to 2000, Francis Egly produced this cuvée as a single-vintage expression, only later opting for a two-vintage blend to buffer against the variability of any given season. This release blends the rich ripe fruit of the 2018 vintage with the less flamboyant 2017 vintage.
Weather: The 2019 growing period posed many challenges following budbreak in early April, which brought severe spring frosts that took their toll on the vineyards. Early summer was variable, with powdery mildew becoming a serious threat. The summer season saw two heatwaves in June and July, with a record-breaking temperature. As a consequence, scalding destroyed some 10% of the expected harvest. The warm and sunny weather continued throughout August and September, bringing concentration and richness. Cool nights were crucial in helping the grapes retain their fresh acidity. Chardonnay was more problematic in 2019, due to its susceptibility to powdery mildew. A slightly smaller crop was picked, commencing September 2nd. On paper, the potential alcohol level was slightly up from 2019 and the acidity a little higher, thus the balance looks excellent. Initial tasting confirms good tension and fine purity in the wines.
Technical Information:
Vineyards: 100% Grand Cru: Ambonnay - Sourced from a south-facing lieu-dit 'Les Crayeres' that was planted between 1946 and 1947
Grape Varieties: 34% Pinot Noir, 33% Chardonnay & 33% Meunier
Base vintage: 2018
Reserve wines: 50% 2017
Disgorged: October 2025
Lees Ageing: 5 Years
Dosage: 1 g/l
Fermentation: 0% MLF
Drink: Now to 2030
Tasting Note: Deep and complex, showing candied fruit, quince and lanolin with chalky minerality, strawberries and a bit of horseradish, slightly honeyed. Medium-bodied. Fine bubbles are tight, intense and long. Savory and tasty, pure and energetic. - Tasted by James Suckling
The history of Champagne Egly-Ouriet dates back to the late 18th century when the Egly family began cultivating vineyards in the Montagne de Reims region, known for its prime Champagne terroir. However, in the 20th century, the estate gained recognition under the leadership of Francis Egly, who took over the family business in the 1980s.
Champagne Egly-Ouriet is known for its dedication to traditional and meticulous winemaking methods. They focus on producing single-vineyard, vintage Champagnes, emphasising terroir expression and each vineyard parcel’s unique characteristics. The estate owns and manages vineyards in some of the most prestigious areas of Champagne, including Ambonnay, Bouzy, Verzenay, and others. These Grand Cru and Premier Cru vineyards are known for their high-quality Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes, the primary varieties used in Champagne production.
Champagne Egly-Ouriet has embraced biodynamic farming practices, prioritising organic and sustainable agriculture. These practices aim to enhance the overall health of the vineyards, improve grape quality, and reflect the unique terroir in the final wines. The winery follows a minimalist approach in the cellar, using natural yeasts for fermentation and avoiding excessive manipulation of the wines. This approach allows the grapes’ natural characteristics to shine through in the final Champagne.
Cellar Master:
Francis Egly
Winery Location: Ambonnay | Champagne, France
Champagne Region:
Montagne de Reims
Annual Production (bottles): 100,000