Ambonnay: The Pinot Noir Heart of Champagne

How to Complete

3 steps curated by Wine Memories

1. 🍷 1

   Taste at Champagne Marguet

   wine $$

   Compare Grand Cru Pinot from Ambonnay and Bouzy side by side.

   Book at champagne-marguet.fr - tastings from €25. Benoit Marguet farms biodynamically and makes single-vineyard Champagnes. Ask specifically for the Ambonnay vs Bouzy comparison - same grape, different terroir, completely different personality. The Ambonnay shows more tension, Bouzy more power.

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2. 📜 2

   Visit Champagne Paul Dethune

   history $$

   A family making wine in Ambonnay since 1610 - 400+ years of history.

   Book at champagne-paul-dethune.com. The Dethune family has 17.3 acres of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, all within Ambonnay, now farmed biodynamically. Ask about their 400+ year family history - they're one of Champagne's founding wine families.

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3. ⛰️ 3

   Walk the Montagne de Reims Slopes

   adventure Free

   See where the south-facing slopes create perfect Pinot conditions.

   From the village center, walk south into the vineyards. The slopes face due south on the Montagne de Reims, giving Pinot Noir maximum sun exposure in this marginal climate. Notice how the vineyard rows follow the contours - this orientation is why Ambonnay achieved Grand Cru status.

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Insider Tips

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  81% of Ambonnay's 387 hectares are Pinot Noir - one of the highest concentrations in Champagne

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  Major houses (Moët, Mumm, Pol Roger, Roederer, Taittinger) all source from Ambonnay

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  The tourist office is only open limited hours - call ahead