CHARLES DUFOUR
ORGANICS TO THE SOUTH
Born and raised in Champagne, Charles Dufour converted his 6ha farm to organic practices in 2013. To limit the use of harmful chemicals like copper, he has adopted biodynamic preparations like herbal teas to limit vineyard disease. With illustrious neighbours like Cédric Bouchard, this little corner of the Côte des Bar proves they can compete with the region’s more famous sub-appellations. In fact, Charles’ Bulles de Comptoir cuvée was the house Champagne at Noma. The media often calls him ‘the Selosse of the Aube’, a worthy title for a boundary-pushing vigneron. Each vintage features a different illustration, adding to its charm and anti-establishment aesthetic.
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#13 CUISINE DU DIMANCHE
This wine comes from Charles Dufour’s organic vineyard in Landreville, a village in Champagne’s southern Côte des Bar. Classic kimmeridgian chalk soils mingle with heavier clay marls leading to an intermingling of poise and power. This release is a blend of Pinot Noir (60%), Chardonnay (30%), and Pinot Blanc (10%). 80% of the wine comes from the 2022 vintage, 20% comes from vintages as far back as the 1980s now that Charles has disgorged his father’s cellar into his reserve perpetuelle – an ode to the past. He ferments three quarters of his wines in barrel while the remainder ferments in stainless steel. Both primary fermentation and malolactic conversion are done with indigenous microorganisms. After bottling, the wine spends 15 months on lees during secondary fermentation. It was disgorged in January 2025 and sees an extra-brut dosage (<3g/l). No additional SO2 was added. 12% ABV
BISTROTAGE B20
The grapes for this project come from Charles’ Mother in the Vallée d’Arce. Three lieu-dits on calcareous clay are used: Bicheret, Les Copies, and Val Herard. Pinot Noir is direct pressed into barrel for fermentation. It is primarily from the 2020 harvest, but a small amount of reserve wine is also added. The liqueur de tirage is made from organic cane sugar and yeasts isolated from the vineyard. It spends over four years on lees before disgorging and the addition of a minimally sweet dosage (2g/L).
VIN DE COMPTOIR 21.82
This Coteaux Champenois is made from Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Blanc from Charles’ vineyards in Ource. The grapes were whole-cluster pressed into neutral barrel for primary fermentation and malolactic conversion. After élevage, the wine (from the 2021 vintage) is blended with his reserve perpetuelle which has been going for over a decade. It was bottled without fining, filtration, or SO2.
BISTROTAGE B17 AFFINAGE PROLONGE
The grapes for this project come from Charles’ Mother in the Vallée d’Arce. Three lieu-dits on calcareous clay are used: Bicheret, Les Copies, and Val Herard. Pinot Noir is direct pressed into barrel for fermentation. It is primarily from the 2017 harvest, but a small amount of reserve wine was also added. The liqueur de tirage was made from organic cane sugar and yeasts isolated from the vineyard. It was bottled in 2018 and saw prolonged aging “sur pointes” (bottles shaken and stored on their necks). Disgorging took place in June 2025 with an extra brut dosage (2g/L).
BISTROTAGE B13 AFFINAGE PROLONGE
2013 was such a stellar vintage at their property Charles decided to keep some wine back on lees for extended ageing. The grapes for this project come from Charles’ Mother in the Vallée d’Arce. Three lieu-dits on calcareous clay are used: Bicheret, Les Copies, and Val Herard. Pinot Noir is direct pressed into barrel for fermentation. It is primarily from the 2013 harvest, but a small amount of reserve wine is also added (2011 and 2010). The liqueur de tirage is made from organic cane sugar and yeasts isolated from the vineyard. It spends over seven years on lees before disgorging and the addition of a minimally sweet dosage (2g/L).