Spotlight on Bénard-Pitois Champagne | A Taste of French Excellence

If you're a Champagne enthusiast, you’ll love our featured Champagnes: Bénard-Pitois. These exceptional Champagnes have been a staple in our collection for years, and we’re proud to promote it as a standout choice for any celebration or special occasion. 

The Bénard-Pitois family has been crafting Champagne since 1878, with a commitment to quality and tradition passed down through generations. Today, Michelle and Laurent Bénard-Louis continue this legacy in Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, where they blend traditional methods with modern techniques to create something truly special.

Their estate spans 9.5 hectares across six villages in the Great Marne Valley and the Côte des Blancs. These vineyards, classified as both Grand Cru and Premier Cru, benefit from the unique terroir of these prestigious regions. The hands-on approach of Michelle and Laurent ensures the highest quality, with a true reflection of their land in every bottle.

What Sets Grower Champagne Apart

When exploring Champagne, it’s important to understand the different types available: House (Maison), Cooperative (Co-op), and Single Estate (Grower Champagne).

• Grande Marque House: These are the big names like Moet & Chandon or Veuve Clicquot, producing millions of bottles annually by sourcing fruit from numerous growers.
• Co-op Champagne: Produced within specific villages using fruit from local growers, with a chief winemaker overseeing production.
• Grower Champagne: This is where Bénard-Pitois stands out. Grower Champagne is made by grape growers who handle everything themselves, from cultivating the vineyards to making the wine. This hands-on approach ensures top quality and a unique product.

How to Identify Grower Champagne

To find out if a Champagne is a Grower Champagne, look for the label marked with "RM" (Récoltant Manipulant). This signifies that 95% or more of the fruit in the bottle was grown on the estate. Other labels you might see include:

• NM (Négociant Manipulant): Indicates the fruit was bought from external growers, typical of large Champagne houses.
• CM (Coopérative Manipulant): Means a single co-op produced the wine from multiple regional growers' fruit.
• RC (Récoltant Coopérateur): Shows that the grower used a co-op facility to make and brand their wine.

Less common labels include MA (Marque d’Acheteur), ND (Négociant Distributeur), and SR (Société de Récoltants).

Experience the Unique Charm of Bénard-Pitois

We invite you to explore the exquisite range of Bénard-Pitois Champagnes, exclusively available through us in Ireland. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply savoring a fine drink, Bénard-Pitois offers the true taste of French craftsmanship. 

L. Bénard Pitois Cartes Blanches, NV 

The perfect expression when the traditional alliance of the three Champagne grape varieties meets a Premier Cru terroir and the precision of a winegrower. A harmonious whole for aperitifs with guaranteed success.

Food Pairing: “Its a match made in heaven with grilled fish, seafood dishes such as ceviche or mild creamy cheeses” Cathal McBride

Cellaring: Ideal now but can be kept for an another 5 years.

L. Bénard Pitois Réserve Premier Cru Brut

Beguiling effervescence with expressive aromas of white flowers, dried lemon and apricots. On the palate you get softly buttered tones of brioche and toast, ripe golden apples, tangerine and almonds. Dry, creamily textured and with tight and persistent beads showing its class.

"The various Bénard-Pitois Champagnes, imported directly by Whelehan’s, offer fantastic value for money" - John Wilson, Irish Times. 

Cellaring: Drinking well now

Food Pairing: Shellfish, cheese