Bergeres - Côte des Bars

Champagne Charles Ernest

It all begins with a single plot: La Petite Marrère.

On this particularly steep hillside of the Côte des Bar, Emmanuel Rigollot has chosen to isolate the Pinot Noir and the exceptional vintages to offer a unique expression.

A single-vineyard cuvée that has become so iconic it bears its own brand, Charles Ernest, in tribute to his two great-grandfathers.

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A plot at the origin of Charles Ernest

Leading a vineyard of 6.8 hectares, Emmanuel Rigollot oversees numerous terroirs, but one holds a special place: La Petite Marrère. With a slope reaching 35%, a very sunny exposure, and subsoils comparable to those found in the Chablis region, this plot provides unique conditions for Pinot Noir.

A cuvée to reveal a place and a year

Rather than incorporating these grapes into the house blends, Emmanuel Rigollot has chosen to create a standalone parcellaire cuvée. La Petite Marrère is crafted exclusively in years deemed of sufficient quality, using only Pinot Noir from this parcel and with an Extra-Brut dosage. This deliberately precise approach aims to reveal both the character of the location and that of the harvest.

Two great-grandfathers, one new brand

This cuvée holds such a special place that Emmanuel Rigollot chose to distinguish it from the rest of his production by creating the Charles Ernest brand. Its name pays tribute to his two great-grandfathers, who were themselves winegrowers and former owners of La Petite Marrère. More than just a second brand, Charles Ernest thus connects a vineyard plot, a family history, and a very personal interpretation of the terroir.