Portraits of winemakers

CHAMPAGNE MOREL: COLOURED WINES DOMINATED BY PINOT NOIR

Émilie Morel: Revitalizing Champagne Morel with a Legacy of Excellence

Agricultural Engineer Turned Champagne Producer

Trained as an agricultural engineer, Émilie honed her skills abroad, working in Vancouver and Spain. Since 2016, she and her brother Simon have taken the reins of Champagne Morel, a family estate of 8 hectares that has been passed down through five generations. "I had dreamed of taking over the family estate for a long time. So, when the opportunity arose, I didn’t hesitate for a second," says Émilie.

Pinot Noir Dominance in Champagne Production

Located in the northern part of Côte des Bars, Champagne Morel specializes in the production of rosé champagnes. True to their terroir, these champagnes predominantly feature Pinot Noir, the main grape variety of this Champagne region. "We specialize in colored wines. Our champagnes have a fruity and elegant character, which we strive to enhance with our producer’s touch, particularly through blending and refining the aromas," explains Émilie.

Another unique aspect of Champagne Morel is their production of still rosé wines (non-sparkling) under the AOC Rosé des Riceys. This tradition dates back to Émilie and Simon's grandfather, who began his winemaking career with this wine before venturing into sparkling wines. "Our rosé is a rare cuvée because we only produce it when the grapes are of very high quality, which varies from year to year. It’s neither a red nor a rosé, but a fruity and spicy wine that combines the aromas of a red wine with the freshness of a rosé," describes Émilie.

Champagne Morel: Moving Towards Haute Valeur Environnementale Certification

Since taking over the family estate, Émilie and Simon have set two main goals: maintaining the family legacy and advancing environmental viticulture, which they are particularly passionate about. "All our vineyard plots are managed manually. We have applied for Haute Valeur Environnementale (HVE) certification, which is expected to be granted this year," the winemakers explain.

Looking ahead, Émilie and Simon envision large-scale projects, particularly in oenotourism. While they already offer tours and champagne tastings at the estate, they hope to purchase a family-owned building and convert it into a visitor center. "We have the potential. Now, we need to develop our ideas, determine the best activities, and implement them to engage the public more closely," says Émilie.