LEAVE YOUR JOURNEY MARKED BY AN AUDACIOUS AND GENEROUS TRAIL.

Empreinte de la Vallée

100 % MEUNIER - BRUT - VIEILLES VIGNES DE PLUS DE 50 ANS

Driven by the intensity of Pinot Meunier aged in oak barrels, this cuvée is an invitation to stroll through the heart of a deep forest. Its aromas of undergrowth, mushrooms, and ripe fruits reveal a woody depth, perfect for a sensory escape.

TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Terroir: Clay-limestone soils – Marne Valley

Vinification: Partial malolactic fermentation, temperature-controlled stainless steel tank

Dosage: Brut 8 g/L

OENOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Appearance: A pale yellow gold color with light straw-yellow highlights. The clear and fluid disc reveals fine bubbles that vivaciously sustain a delicate collar.

On the nose: The visual sensation announces a fresh and rich wine. The nose offers an elegant floral profile with scents of linden and lily of the valley. It is enriched with fruity aromas such as lime, apricot, and almond.

On the palate: The attack is soft and fresh, with creamy effervescence. A lovely density of fruit pulp develops on the palate. The overall experience evokes a sensation of crunchy fruits that lingers.

FOOD & WINE PAIRING SUGGESTIONS

Asparagus
Fish tartare
Pike-perch rillette

Cooked cheese
Granny Smith apple
Radishes

An oenological signature of boldness and balance

Justine Cougnet's champagnes have breath and rhythm: a meeting of gourmandise, freshness and complexity.
Each cuvée finds its own tempo, under the impetus of Justine, Sylvie and Philippe, who combine the richness of Meunier with the energy of Champagne grape varieties:

Prolonged aging: a minimum of three years in the cellar, for optimum maturity and refined texture.
Vinification in stainless steel tanks and oak barrels: a masterful balance between precision and aromatic depth.
Production limited to 20,000 bottles a year, divided into five cuvées, each inspired by nature and movement:

🌿 Répit Naturel – A beneficial halt, a suspended moment.

🌊 Sillage de la Vallée – The mark of a passage, the imprint of terroir.

💨 Élan Floral – A flight of freshness, a light, airy ride.

🌲 Rêverie Forestière – An immersion in the undergrowth, between spices and contemplation.

🌪 Souffle Sauvage – The raw strength of a free, untamed wind.

An ideal expression for gastronomy

Justine Cougnet champagnes have rhythm and persistence, cut to accompany great tables and passionate sommeliers.

General sensory profile:

✔ Fresh, dynamic attack, a sign of long aging on lees.

✔ Ample, structured mid-palate, driven by Meunier and its fruity nuances.

✔ Saline, persistent finish, leaving a lively, spicy imprint.

Champagnes of élan and balance, thought for haute gastronomy and export.

A land of character, a living heritage

The vineyard extends over two hectares, a playground where Meunier, the emblematic grape variety of the Marne Valley, expresses its full potential. Here, each bunch of grapes gains momentum, each wine finds its trajectory, carried by the hand of the winemaker and the breath of the terroir.

Philippe has always moved forward with respect and conviction, working the vineyard as one prepares a plot of land, with patience and precision. Long before eco-responsibility became a matter of course, he was already practicing integrated viticulture, observing and adapting every gesture. Today, the estate is certified HVE (Haute Valeur Environnementale) and VDC (Viticulture Durable en Champagne), guaranteeing a careful approach to soil and natural cycles.

The family story began in 1652 in Hautvillers, the birthplace of Champagne. Successive winemakers and coopers have built up a solid heritage, handed down from generation to generation. Among them, Gaston Poittevin (1880-1944), a major figure in Champagne winegrowing, paved the way for the renown of Champagne wines. Today, Justine follows in his footsteps, inspired by her parents, Sylvie and Philippe.