Philippe Fontaine
Located in Balnot-sur-Laignes in the Côte des Bar region, Champagne Philippe Fontaine is above all about a history of family and tradition. The Fontaine family has indeed been cultivating their land for centuries. Nowadays, Philippe, his daughter Salomé, and her husband Louis-Antoine run the estate. Most of the vineyards are located in the prestigious Les Riceys part of the region. They are comprised of 80% Pinot Noir and 20% mixed Pinot Blanc, Pinot Meunier, and Chardonnay. All of Philippe Fontaine Champagnes are handcrafted at the estate, small production, sustainably farmed, and represent a tremendous value in the Grower Champagne category.
STORY OF THE LABEL:
The origin of the Egyptian beetle on Salome Fontaine’s bottles comes from when her father started his estate and began bottling his own wines. Indeed, Salome’s father was first farming vines and wheat and sold his produce to the local co-ops. His parents were making their own Champagne, however; and being the third child, Philippe Fontaine had to go at it alone and create his own Champagne.
When the time came to finally create his label, Philippe asked his mother for insight. She and her sister, who are very fond of Pharaonic Egyptian culture, suggested the scarab beetle, a symbol of good luck which represents rebirth, renewal, continuous change, and evolution; just like Philippe experienced himself by making his own way and his own wines. That beetle remains today on all of Salome’s cuvees as a constant reminder of her father’s journey, his perseverance, ingenuity, and love for the terroir.
Wines from Philippe Fontaine
Philippe Fontaine Champagne Brut Blanc de Blanc Cuvée Des Lys
Blend: 100% Pinot Blanc
Aging: 36 months “sur latte”
100% Pinot Blanc Champagne is rare enough, but vintage versions can literally be counted on one hand. This is, necessarily of course, a micro-production wine that generates tons of excitement upon every release. Like still Pinot Blancs, it’s very fresh, crisp, and elegant, with aromas of white flower, exotic fruits, pear, cinnamon, and green almond. The palate is generous, bright, and carries all the aromatics in a luxurious swirl of tight and persistent perlage. The long finish deepens the wine a touch with fuzzy ripe apricot and a bit of warm ginger. It’s such a stunning, individualistic wine that it makes for a great apéritif to enjoy all by itself, but it will certainly enhance your seafood dinners (it seems to have a special affinity for lighter octopus and squid dishes like ceviche), quiches, white pizzas, and fruit-centric desserts.
Philippe Fontaine Champagne Brut Millésime
Blend: 100% Pinot Noir
Aging: 48 months “sur latte”
A bright yellow hue with subtle reflections of copper, this elegant and fine Champagne offers aromas of lychee and peach. On the palate, this wine is lively and bright with a soft texture of almond paste, brioche, and subtle notes of blueberries. Enjoy with your aperitif, sushi, northern Mexican food, or desserts.
Philippe Fontaine Champagne Brut Tradition
Blend: 70% Pinot Noir 30% Pinot Meunier
Aging: 24 months “sur latte”
Philippe Fontaine’s flagship bottling stands out among Grower Champagnes for its blanc de noirs cepage and extended time en tirage. These unusual steps give this a complexity and creamy richness not commonly found in such affordable Champagnes. Golden citrus and orchard fruits lilt along on a silky textured palate that glides into a very fresh and cleansing finish. This tremendous value pairs well with apéritifs, soft cheeses, and any light fare.
Philippe Fontaine Champagne Brut Prestige
Blend: 40% Pinot Blanc, 35% Pinot Noir, 15% Pinot Meunier, 10% Chardonnay
Aging: 48 months “sur latte”
Spectacular, robust, and unfathomably deep Grower Champagne for those who love the rich, yeasty styles that really make an impression. Burnished yellow with flecks of copper, generous in its fresh pastry, creamy golden fruit, and subtle rosemary and tarragon aromatics. The round, medium-heavy palate is full of fine bubbles that pop ever so gently in the mouth to make the chalk, white flower, orange blossom, and panoply of white fruits shine even more against the luscious base. Awfully compelling by itself, it’s ideal with seared scallops, lobster, butter-broiled steaks, or triple crème cheeses.
Philippe Fontaine Champagne Brut Rosé Rosé de Saignée
Blend: 50% Pinot Noir, 50% Pinot Meunier
Aging: 48 months “sur latte”
Markedly different from the oceans of light and fruity rosé Champagne out there, Grower Champagne producer Philippe Fontaine harnesses the powers of the Aube’s clay soils and the saignée method. Fully destemmed grapes undergo a controlled maceration with daily pump-overs to achieve the ideal color and aroma. Once the extraction is complete, the juice is drained, leaving the skins and seeds behind, lees are pressed for a local distillery, and no red wine is produced. This results in a pure rosé fermentation, creating a wine with structure similar to the famed Rosé des Riceys. The Rosé de Saignée showcases earthy red and black fruit, with savory, meaty undertones, and a tight perlage that balances its depth and complexity. Powerful yet graceful, it’s a perfect pairing for everything from bone-in strip steak to smoked salmon, ripe Époisses, and holiday meals.
More Stories About Philippe Fontaine
Producer Spotlight: Champagne Philippe Fontaine
If you ever find yourself in Balnot-sur-Laignes, you’ll know exactly why the wines of Champagne Philippe Fontaine feel the way they do. The village has a quiet energy. It is the kind of place where people wave from tractors, the air smells faintly of chalk and apples,...