Champagne Monmarthe, 'Prestige', Premier Cru

The Montagne de Reims looks almost otherworldly when morning light hits the chalk—rolling forested hills, hidden valleys, and those pale, mineral soils that have shaped Champagne for centuries. At the center of it all sits the tiny Premier Cru village of Ludes, a quiet, chalk-rich enclave known to Champagne insiders and home to some of the region’s most exciting new talent. It’s the very same village—and in fact the immediate neighbor—to the now world-famous Bérêche estate, whose rise helped cast a spotlight on this overlooked corner of the Montagne

Champagne is a mosaic of landscapes, each with its own voice. The region is shaped by five major sub-regions: the Montagne de Reims, renowned for its structured, Pinot-Noir-driven wines; the Vallée de la Marne, the homeland of expressive Meunier; the Côte des Blancs, where Chardonnay achieves crystalline purity; the Côte de Sézanne, known for generous, supple Chardonnay; and the Côte des Bar, where warmer slopes bring spice and texture to Pinot Noir. Ludes lies on the cooler, forest-lined flank of the Montagne de Reims, where deep chalk and thin topsoil create wines of drive, tension, and precision. While Pinot Noir thrives here, these slopes also yield striking, mineral-driven Chardonnay—allowing blends like “Prestige” to combine richness with a clean, sculpted edge.

The Monmarthe family has been rooted in Ludes since 1737, making them one of the long-standing pillars of this Premier Cru village. Today the estate is run by sixth-generation vigneron Jean-Guy Monmarthe, who farms 15 hectares of vineyards surrounding the village with sustainable, HVE-certified practices—grassed rows, minimal treatments, and deep respect for the chalk that defines the terroir. “Prestige” is one of their signature cuvées, blending Chardonnay and Pinot Noir and aging a full 36 months on its lees. This extended maturation imparts creaminess, roundness, and complexity—warm pastry notes, silky texture, and that unmistakable Ludes chalkiness that tightens and lengthens the finish.

In the glass, “Prestige” delivers everything you want from Premier Cru Champagne: fresh brioche, toasted almond, lemon curd, yellow apple, white blossoms, and a vibrant chalk-lined mineral spine. The mousse is fine and persistent, the palate generous yet lifted, and the finish clean and saline, begging for another sip. And if there is a perfect pairing, it’s Champagne and fried chicken—the crunch, salt, and fat lighting up the citrus, bubbles, and minerality in spectacular fashion. It’s equally at home with sushi, roast chicken, truffle fries, popcorn, or simply on its own. But truthfully? This is the bottle you keep on hand because it always performs, always pleases, and at this price, you’ll wish you bought a case.