Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Grand Cru is the highest terroir classification in Champagne. Since 1911, villages have been rated on a scale known as the Échelle des Crus. Only 17 villages including Ambonnay achieved the maximum 100% rating and earned the Grand Cru title, and none have been added since 1985.

A Champagne can only use the term Grand Cru if every grape in the bottle comes exclusively from one or more of these 17 villages. Yvonne Belhomme is one of them as all grapes comes its Ambonnay's vineyards.

Ambonnay lies on the southern slopes of the Montagne de Reims, with south and southeast-facing slopes that capture enough sunlight to bring Pinot Noir to full ripeness in Champagne's marginal climate. This exposure alone sets it apart from cooler, more linear sites in the region.

Ambonnay sits on Champagne's characteristic chalk base, but its topsoils carry a higher proportion of clay than most Grand Cru villages. That clay retains water, slows vine stress, and pushes the fruit toward greater density, phenolic development, and mid-palate weight. The chalk beneath keeps acidity in balance, preventing the wines from becoming heavy. It is the tension between the two that makes this terroir exceptional.

The result is a style built on structure first: darker fruit profiles, black cherry, plum, spice, alongside mineral restraint and a texture that is broader and more powerful than most Champagne.

These are wines with depth and aging potential. Ambonnay has held the maximum Grand Cru rating since 1911 for exactly this reason.

Because the two cuvées draw on different aspects of the same soil. Ambonnay's clay-rich topsoils drive density, structure, and mid-palate weight, which is why the Brut, Pinot Noir-led at 70%, expresses power, depth, and darker fruit.

The chalk base beneath preserves acidity and mineral precision, which is what the Rosé, Chardonnay-led at 60%, leans into. Low dosage at 2g/L lets that chalk-driven tension and crystalline freshness come through without anything masking it.

Same land. Same estate. Two different conversations with the terroir.

A Récoltant-Manipulant (RM) is a grower who grows their own grapes and produces their Champagne entirely within their own facilities. Nothing is outsourced. This is in contrast to large Champagne houses (Négociants-Manipulants) who buy grapes from many different growers across the region or from cooperatives. As an RM, Yvonne Belhomme controls every stage, from vine to label, ensuring complete traceability, independance, control and a consistent house style.

Both come from the same Grand Cru estate in Ambonnay, but they express the terroir differently.

The Brut Grand Cru is Pinot Noir-led (70/30), balanced, structured and mineral: the definitive expression of the house. It's versatile enough for an aperitif but has the depth for a full meal.

The Rosé Extra Brut Grand Cru is Chardonnay-led (60/40), lighter, more tensile and precise. With only 2g/L dosage it is drier and more vibrant. Ideal for seafood, light meat dishes or on its own.

Visit The Cellar to read more about each cuvée

The Rosé was developed over seven years before its release in 2025 and the dosage was central to why it took that long.

A very low dosage of 2g/L was chosen deliberately, to let the fruit and minerality of Ambonnay's Chardonnay speak without any sweetness masking them. But working at that level is technically challenging. With so little dosage to balance the wine, acidity becomes everything: too much and the wine feels harsh and angular; too little and it loses the precision and tension that defines it.

Finding that equilibrium, where the acidity feels vibrant rather than aggressive and the structure feels taut rather than austere, requires exceptional patience and control.

Jean-Philippe spent years searching for exactly that balance before he was satisfied. The Rosé only came to market when it was right and not when it was ready enough. That distinction matters here.

The result is a Champagne that is drier and more vibrant than a conventional Brut Rosé, precise, mineral-driven, and built for those who appreciate the kind of precision that can't be rushed.

Serve the Brut at 8–10°C for the best expression of its aromatic complexity. The brioche and almond notes open beautifully after a few minutes of opening.

Serve the Rosé slightly cooler at 7–9°C to preserve its crystalline freshness and mineral edge. Avoid serving either too cold as below 6°C and the aromas close down significantly.

Champagne is made to be enjoyed, and ultimately, the best glass is the one you like most. If you love the look of a coupe, use a coupe. If the flute feels right for the occasion, go with the flute. There are no rules here that matter more than your own enjoyment.

That said, if you want to get the most out of the aromatic complexity of either cuvée, particularly for a proper tasting, a wine glass is the best choice. The wider bowl allows the nose to fully open up, letting the citrus, brioche and mineral notes of the Brut, or the wild berry and mineral precision of the Rosé, express themselves in a way a narrower glass cannot.

The classic flute, despite being synonymous with Champagne, does restrict the aromas. It preserves the bubbles beautifully and looks the part, but limits how fully the wine's complexity can express itself.

For a celebration pour, perfect. For a tasting, reach for the wine glass.

Both cuvées are already aged a minimum of three years on lees before release, so they are ready to drink on delivery.

That said, they will continue to develop in bottle. Store horizontally in a cool, dark place away from vibration and light. The Brut will evolve beautifully for 3–5 years from release; the Rosé is best enjoyed within 2–3 years to preserve its freshness.

Brut Grand Cru Oysters, langoustine, scallops, roast chicken, guinea fowl, aged Comté, Brie de Meaux, or simply on its own as an aperitif.

Rosé Extra Brut Salmon tartare, lobster, grilled prawns, duck breast, tuna carpaccio, Époisses, or with red fruit desserts like raspberry tart. Avoid heavy chocolate dishes which overpower the delicacy of the Rosé.

Further suggestions on the respective champagne pages The Cellar

We currently ship across Europe. Active markets include the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Italy and France. If your country is not listed at checkout, please contact us at info@yvonnebelhommechampagne.com and we will do our best to arrange delivery.

Every bottle is packed in protective packaging specifically designed for safe transit of wine. We ship year-round and take temperature variation into account during packing. Once dispatched, you will receive a tracking link so you can follow your order.

Delivery typically takes 3–5 working days within Europe. You will receive a confirmation email with tracking information once your order has been dispatched.

We stand behind every bottle we ship. If your order arrives damaged, please contact us within 7 days of receipt at info@yvonnebelhommechampagne.com with a photo of the damage.
We will do our best to make it right.

Yes. Yvonne Belhomme hosts a small number of carefully curated events each year — intimate tastings, private dinners, and seasonal releases where guests can discover the cuvées in the right setting, with the story behind them. Events are limited in size and sell out quickly.

Events are announced exclusively to our mailing list before they are made public, and in most cases, they fill before they ever appear elsewhere. The best way to stay ahead is to join the list. Subscribers also receive early access to new releases and house news.

Yes, Private tastings, corporate events, and bespoke experiences with Jean-Philippe are available on request, simply send us an email to enquire.

Yvonne Belhomme estate visits are not currently open to the general public. Private visits may be arranged for trade partners and long-standing clients on a case-by-case basis. Please contact us at info@yvonnebelhommechampagne.com to discuss.

HQE stands for Haute Qualité Environnementale, one of France's most rigorous environmental standards. For a vineyard, it recognises responsible land management, protection of biodiversity, and a long-term commitment to the health of the soil.

It requires regular independent verification and covers the full scope of viticulture and production practices.

No. The vineyards are tended exclusively with natural products. The soil is managed with a regenerative approach: the goal is to keep it alive, biodiverse and healthy for generations to come. It is a continuation of the values that Yvonne Belhomme herself brought to this land after the war: respect for the earth, care for what it gives, and responsibility for what comes next.

Yes, Yvonne Belhomme is well suited to fine dining restaurants, boutique hotels, curated wine bars, independent wine merchants and specialist importers. We look for partners who share our values of authenticity, craftsmanship and respect for terroir. For trade enquiries, please contact us at info@yvonnebelhommechampagne.com.

Yes, we welcome press, editorial and media enquiries. Please reach out directly at info@yvonnebelhommechampagne.com and we will be happy to discuss.