History
Champagne Jacquesson was founded in 1798 in Châlons-sur-Marne by brothers Claude and Memmie Jacquesson, making it one of Champagne's oldest independent houses. The house gained fame in the 19th century through Adolphe Jacquesson, who patented the muselet wire cage in 1844 and reportedly supplied Napoleon; production peaked at over a million bottles annually. Acquired by Jean Chiquet in 1974 and revitalized by sons Jean-Hervé and Laurent from 1988, it relocated to Dizy with 22 hectares in Avize, Aÿ, and Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, emphasizing single-vintage Cuvées 700+.
Viticulture Philosophy
The estate prioritizes Grand Cru Chardonnay from Avize's Les Crayères and Pinot Noir from Aÿ's calcareous slopes, practicing organic conversion since the 1990s with low yields for concentration and terroir transparency. Sustainable farming across lieu-dit plots fosters balance amid Champagne's variable climate, sourcing selectively for vintage specificity.
Winemaking Techniques
Laurent Chiquet employs oak fermentation (from Jean-Marc Roulot's barrels), partial malolactic, extended lees aging (4-12 years), and extra-brut dosages (1-5g/L) without filtration for textured, site-driven Champagnes like Cuvée 742 or single-vineyard Ay 735. Minimal intervention highlights purity and complexity in multi-vintage series numbered annually.
Critics and Journalist Praises
Jacquesson redefined grower Champagne with its Manifeste des 700, earning acclaim for precision and vibrancy; Cuvées score 95+ from Wine Advocate and Decanter for chalky depth and finesse. Critics hail it as a visionary benchmark, blending tradition with audacity akin to top houses like Krug.
