Charles Dufour

Charles Dufour started producing Champagne in 2006 from his family's vineyards in Landreville, in the Côte des Bar (Aube). His father Robert had made Champagne under his own name before; some of Robert's older vintages (1988, 1989, 1990, 1997) were incorporated into Charles's solera system. In 2010, Charles began a second label - Françoise Martinot - using his mother's name and her family's vineyards in Chervey and Celles-sur-Ource.

The two labels share a philosophy but draw from different terroirs. Roughly ten hectares total: about six hectares under the Charles Dufour name around Landreville, and four under Françoise Martinot in Chervey and Celles-sur-Ource. Predominantly Pinot Noir, with Chardonnay and some Pinot Blanc. Clay-limestone soils typical of the Côte des Bar.

Organic certified. Spontaneous fermentation only, no added sulphur, no fining, no filtration. Each wine is a snapshot of a vintage and a place, not a pursuit of house style.

The cuvées:

• Bulles de Comptoir (Charles Dufour label) - an annual vintage assembling all plots and grape varieties. Each edition carries a different artist-designed label, making the series a graphic project as much as a wine. Proper méthode champenoise, not pétillant naturel - despite what the playful name might suggest.
• Bistrotage (Françoise Martinot label) - numbered by vintage (B.11, B.17, B.19, B.20...). Blanc de Noirs and rosé expressions from Chervey vineyards. Extra Brut.
• Françoise Françoise (FF) - single vintage, Brut Nature.

Charles Dufour belongs to the natural-wine movement in the Aube alongside Cédric Bouchard, Marie Courtin, and Vouette et Sorbée - the cohort that has redefined what Champagne from the Côte des Bar can be.