Memmie Jacquesson established his house in 1798 in Châlons-sur-Marne, supplying Napoléon Bonaparte himself. The emperor's preference for Jacquesson became legendary, though the house moved to Dizy decades later. When the Chiquet brothers—Jean-Hervé and Laurent—inherited from their father in the 1980s, they revolutionized the approach entirely. Rather than chase consistency, they embraced variability, numbering each cuvée and documenting exactly what went into it.
Each vintage deserves its own expression, numbered and never repeated.
The Chiquet philosophy centers on numbered cuvées rather than consistent blends. Each release—currently in the 740s—represents that year's harvest and the decisions they made about it. No recipe to follow, no house style to maintain. This approach requires exceptional vineyard work across their 28 hectares, spanning Dizy, Hautvillers, Avize, and Aÿ. They own significant plots in grand cru villages while maintaining deep roots in Dizy, where Pinot Noir finds particular expression. Fermentation happens in a mix of tank and barrel, with decisions made plot by plot rather than following house protocol.
Not sure where to start? The quiz takes four minutes and ends with a specific bottle recommendation.
Find your Champagne moment →Citrus zest meets wet stone on the nose. The palate carries taut acidity that makes your cheeks contract slightly, followed by a mineral finish that seems to echo from the chalky soils of Dizy. Clean, precise, unadorned.
Pure Pinot Noir from their home village, this shows red apple skin and chalk dust. The bubbles feel particularly fine, almost creamy, while the finish carries a slight smokiness that speaks to the lieu-dit's exposure.
Chardonnay from grand cru Avize, showing typical Côte des Blancs precision. Lemon oil and crushed oyster shell on the nose, with a palate that builds slowly, leaving a saline persistence that makes you reach for another sip.
Small-group tastings focus on their numbered cuvée philosophy and single-vineyard expressions. The cellars beneath Dizy reveal their plot-by-plot approach, with separate tanks for different parcels. Tastings typically include the current numbered release plus single-vineyard wines from their grand cru holdings.
68 Rue du Colonel Fabien, 51160 Dizy, France
Hostellerie La Briqueterie — Located in nearby Vinay, this Relais & Châteaux property sits among Champagne vineyards with views across the Marne Valley. Their wine program features extensive Jacquesson verticals.