Champagne H.BLIN: The Harmonious Blend of Tradition and Quality in Vincelles’ Finest Wines

Nestled along the Marne Valley’s enchanting tourist trail, the picturesque village of Vincelles takes pride in its winemaking heritage and is renowned as the birthplace of Pinot Meunier. Just a short twenty-five-minute drive west leads to the bustling towns of Epernay and Reims, where champagne reigns supreme. The name “Vincelles” itself pays homage to its deep connection to winemaking, as “Vini cella” in Latin translates to wine cellar.

Henry BLIN, hailing from a long line of vintners dating back to the 17th century, holds a significant place among the winemakers in Vincelles. In 1947, Henri BLIN took a pioneering step by bringing together 29 growers in Vincelles to establish Champagne H.BLIN, with the “H” honoring his name.

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Today, Champagne H.BLIN, in collaboration with its 115 dedicated growers, owns a remarkable 110 hectares of vineyards. These vineyards predominantly flourish with Pinot Meunier, constituting 70% of the plantings, alongside a proportion of Chardonnay (16%) and Pinot Noir (14%). At H.BLIN, we embrace a set of core values that drive us, including passion, a profound love for the vine and grape, a relentless pursuit of quality, and utmost respect for the earth.

Our champagnes embody the essence of exceptional soil and unique climatic conditions. Guided by time-honored techniques passed down through generations, our vines thrive on chalky clay soils with an ideal south-southeast exposure, enabling the grapes to develop and ripen slowly, resulting in unparalleled flavor profiles.

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Sustainable viticulture practices have been at the heart of our commitment for many years, safeguarding the environment. In recognition of our efforts, nearly 70% of our vineyards have been awarded the sustainable VDC label. Moreover, we take pride in several hectares that have obtained the Organic label from Veritas, with the organic surface area set to reach nearly 12 hectares by 2023/2024. These vineyards showcase the three primary champagne grape varieties, along with a plot of Petit Meslier, an ancient grape variety.

Champagne H.BLIN stands distinguished for its strong identity and unwavering pride in the local variety, Pinot Meunier. This grape possesses unique characteristics that set it apart from the rest. With a commitment to terroir-driven champagnes, we craft our cuvées exclusively from grapes grown in our own vineyards. Notably, several of our cuvées are 100% Pinot Meunier, offering an authentic expression of our land.

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In Vincelles, a profound respect for the environment and our wines permeates the village’s essence. Here, the vineyards are not merely “farmed,” but meticulously “tended” with care. Our viticulture practices embrace sustainability, allowing grass to grow between the rows (exceeding the regional average). Additionally, we prioritize wastewater treatment and recycling, with a purification center established in 1999. For over 15 years, all our vineyards have implemented “sexual confusion*” techniques. Furthermore, as an active member of the Magister Group of the Champagne Committee, Champagne H.BLIN actively promotes sustainable practices and continually works towards improving grower practices.

More than 70% of the vineyards tended by H.BLIN have received VDC certification for sustainable farming in Champagne, with the goal of achieving 100% certification in the near future. The VDC certification, equivalent to the HVE (High Value for the Environment) certification, encompasses specific criteria tailored for Champagne.

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