Champagne Lombard: the identity of the terroir

Maison Lombard is renowned for its clear and consistent winemaking philosophy: placing the terroir at the center of every choice.

Founded in 1925 by Robert Andrieu, a visionary agronomist, the Maison went through different stages of evolution until 2004, when Thierry Lombard gave it a decisive strategic turn. From an international commercial focus, the direction shifted to a more identity-driven project, based on the acquisition of its own vineyards, on viticultural quality, and on a production increasingly oriented towards sustainability.
A significant change occurred in 2020 with the appointment of Thomas Lombard, fourth generation of the family, as director: an active, precise and passionate guide.

For Champagne Lombard, terroir represents the foundation of everything. Soil, climate, altitude and agronomic practices are analyzed with a scientific approach, both at the level of the Cru and of the individual parcel. The goal is to enhance every nuance through separate vinifications and minimal dosages, favoring – whenever possible – the essential purity of Brut Nature, which magnifies the mineral character and the identity of the land.

Today the Maison owns 6 hectares of vineyards, composed of 60% Meunier, 30% Pinot Noir and the remaining 10% Chardonnay. The vines, with an average age of about 35 years, have been certified organic since 2022 and are located in the western part of the Montagne de Reims, mainly in Premier Cru areas such as Villedommange, Pargny-lès-Reims, Jouy-lès-Reims, Coulommes-la-Montagne and Vrigny.
Another 55 hectares come from partnerships with winegrowers, spread across Premier and Grand Cru sites of the Montagne de Reims, Côte des Blancs and Vallée de la Marne.

Vinification is conceived to highlight the identity of each grape variety, which is why the grapes are processed separately. Fermentations take place at low temperature in 80 stainless steel vats of 25 to 250 hl. Malolactic fermentation is systematically blocked to preserve freshness and precision. The use of oak is measured and functional: 140 French oak barrels, of various sizes and toasts, host the wines for 6–8 months, bringing roundness and depth without covering the mineral framework.
The cuvées are aged in an evocative underground cellar stretching 1.5 kilometers, dug on two levels down to 18 meters deep. Here, time plays its part: three years of ageing for the Extra Brut, five for the Brut Nature, yielding results of great elegance and expressive clarity.

Champagne Lombard is the fruit of precise and conscious work, aimed at returning in the glass the authentic voice of the terroir. A project that reflects contemporary evolution, where craftsmanship, technical rigor and collaborative spirit blend into a clear and coherent vision.

Tasting

Chouilly
Chouilly is a broad and complex terroir divided into two distinct zones. In the northern part, the Chardonnays are softer with a round, full structure. To the east, tension, precision and marked minerality emerge.

Tasting Notes
Crystal-clear and brilliant, this Blanc de Blancs clearly expresses the mineral matrix of the Chouilly Grand Cru. On the nose it shows a fresh profile with evident citrus notes leading into pronounced minerality. On the palate, the entry is taut and vibrant, supported by sharp acidity that defines its gustatory architecture. The body is slender yet structured, balanced by measured fruit and marked salinity. The choice to block malolactic fermentation helps preserve freshness and enhance precision. The perlage is elegant. The finish is dry and long, with a saline and chalky closure that extends the mineral perception, leaving the palate perfectly clean and defined.

Verzenay
Verzenay, a Grand Cru of the Montagne de Reims, stands out for its cool climate and chalky-silty soils, ideal for a taut and elegant Pinot Noir. The northern exposure preserves acidity and finesse, yielding vertical and profound wines. Zero dosage highlights mineral purity and a velvety texture.

Tasting Notes
Pale gold, this Blanc de Noirs reveals a precise and layered aromatic profile. Notes of fresh red fruits – currant, cassis – mingle with citrus nuances and hints of aromatic herbs, with a touch of spice and a delicate earthy undertone adding depth. On the palate, the entry is dry and direct, supported by lively freshness and fine texture. The perlage is creamy and well integrated, helping to soften the structure and define an elegant, dynamic frame. The material is light yet incisive, consistent with the northern origin of the Pinot Noir, imparting tension, verticality and a tart character. The finish is saline, persistent with mineral and citrus tones.

Les Corettes
Les Corettes is a lieu-dit in the Grand Cru of Verzenay, on well-drained silty soils with northern exposure. Ripening is steady and complex, yielding Pinot Noir with structure and aromatic intensity.

Tasting Notes
Golden with copper highlights, this Blanc de Noirs opens with a delicate yet profound aromatic profile. Red currant, ripe black cherry, white flowers and sweet spices – including vanilla – intertwine with light woody notes and balsamic nuances. On the palate, the entry is dry, direct, with firm structure and well-integrated freshness. The perlage, fine and dynamic, accompanies the sip with precision, providing energy and definition. Salinity emerges progressively, supporting an explosive, tense and persistent finish. A parcel Pinot Noir that conveys with rigor and intensity the strength of the terroir.

Chemin de Flavigny
Chemin de Flavigny is a lieu-dit at the foot of the Avize hillside, in the Grand Cru of the Côte des Blancs. On calcareous soils with surface clay and in a sheltered position, Chardonnay ripens in balance, yielding a soft and generous style. The result is a Blanc de Blancs that is mineral, fruity and elegant.

Tasting Notes
Bright gold, this Blanc de Blancs stands out for its broad and enveloping expression. On the nose, it shows a softer aromatic profile: exotic fruit, ripe yellow fruit, candied lemon and dried fruit, accompanied by subtle notes of café au lait cream and hints of toasted coconut and vanilla from a measured oak ageing. On the palate, the sip is dry and fresh, supported by a balanced structure and a fine, creamy perlage that amplifies volume and definition. The gustatory progression is dynamic, with an elegant balsamic component and a mineral salinity that bring tension and drive. The finish, citrusy and chalky, is taut, long and clean, confirming the nobility and precision of the Avize terroir.

“Signature is a line ‘signed’ by the Chef de Cave, born from the art of blending.”

Tasting Notes
Golden. On the nose it opens with delicate notes of cotton candy, white flowers and ripe yellow fruit, outlining a fine and inviting aromatic profile. On the palate, the sip is enveloping and harmonious, supported by a fine and creamy perlage that enhances softness without losing tension. The finish is dry, fresh, with a pleasant verticality that invites another sip.

Tasting Notes
Gold. This Blanc de Noirs stands out for its elegant, measured aromatic expression, with notes of ripe dark fruit, toasted nuances and a light spicy touch. On the palate, it shows an enveloping texture with well-balanced freshness that provides harmony and lift. The perlage is fine and creamy, contributing to a sense of dynamism and precision. The finish is mineral and saline, with a persistent chalky note. The closure is dry, saline, with a chalky and slightly citrusy finish.

Tasting Notes
Gold with luminous highlights. On the nose, it stands out for a taut and precise profile, with notes of ripe yellow fruit, dried apricot, candied citrus and a light evolution towards jam tones and fine pastry. Saline and chalky touches complete the ensemble, underscoring the mineral signature of the vintage. On the palate, the sip is direct, vertical, with elegant structure and perfectly integrated acid tension. The perlage, fine and continuous, discreetly accompanies the gustatory progression, giving precision and dynamism. The finish is crystalline, saline, fresh, of great length. A Champagne with excellent ageing potential, able to combine expressive rigor with aromatic complexity.

The "Tanagra bottle", exclusive to the Maison and reserved for the Vintages, was introduced in 2005. Its patented design reduces contact between wine and lees, preserving freshness and aromatic precision over time. Inspired by ancient Greek statuettes with harmonious forms, it evokes elegance, craftsmanship and refinement, values that define the style of Lombard Champagnes.

Distilled Gin “Esprit Les Ribauds”

Tasting Notes
Esprit Les Ribauds is a gin that translates the aromatic identity of a Champagne terroir into a botanical key. Chef de Cave Laurent Vaillant tasted the vins clairs from the lieu-dit Les Ribauds – from 2014 to 2022 – to capture their purest essence, reconstructing the profile through a careful selection of 100% organic botanicals. Juniper, peppermint, damask rose, cranberry, pink pepper, lemon peel and ginger: a perfect balance of freshness, spice and structure. Balsamic and resinous aromas intertwine with spicy notes, while on the palate it is full and enveloping, with an elegant floral finish.

🔗 Learn more about CHAMPAGNE LOMBARD at:
🌐 www.champagne-lombard.com

Tags: épernay, avenuedechampagne, champagnelombard, tanagrabottle