Champagne Pol Roger

1, rue Winston Churchill

51200 EPERNAY
Tel : +33 (0)326 595 800
polroger@polroger.fr
www.polroger.com

Pol Roger, Great wine of Champagne

Everything you need to know about the Maison Pol Roger, located in the Côte des Blancs region of Champagne in Epernay.

One of Europe's most sought-after iconic Champagne brands.

Located in the Marne region of France, in Epernay, in the heart of the famous Côte des Blancs (stronghold of an undisputed Chardonnay), Maison Pol Roger, which celebrated its 175th birthday in 2024, has been an independent family business for 6 generations. From 1849 to the present day, the Roger family (Pol-Roger) has never ceased to serve and represent excellence through its champagnes. Its most famous cuvée, Sir Winston Churchill (in honor of Prime Minister Winston Churchill), is a prime ambassador for the conquest and development of its international markets. Starting with the United Kingdom, where the brand has held the Royal Warrant of the Crown of England since 1877.

From Aÿ to Epernay, a transfer desired by Pol Roger himself

The Roger family had long since settled in the heart of the Montagne de Reims, in the village of Aÿ, when young Pol Roger began his first champagne sale on January 2, 1849. This sale was dictated by the difficult family situation that gave young Pol Roger his “foot in the door” and launched him into business at the age of 18: his father, then a notary, was suffering from an incurable illness and unfortunately had to cease his activities.

Soon after, in 1851, and in order to develop its activities on a larger scale, the family business was transferred to the Côte des Blancs, in the town of Epernay. In 1899, Pol Roger died of pneumonia. His two sons, Maurice and Georges Roger, took over the family business. As early as 1900, the family obtained the right to change part of their name, in homage to their father Pol Roger, to Pol-Roger. During this period, Maurice was in charge of sales, marketing and public relations, while Georges, a gifted taster, was in charge of developing the company's champagnes. But an unexpected event threatens to jeopardize the development and economic health of Pol-Roger champagnes. On the night of February 22nd to 23rd 1900, part of the buildings and cellars collapsed, destroying over 600 barrels (full, containing almost the entire 1899 harvest) and a million and a half bottles, still maturing or ready to be marketed. It was thanks to a huge movement of solidarity around the family (solidarity coming from the Sparnac houses, Moët & Chandon and Mercier) and the determination of the Pol-Roger brothers that the house emerged from this bad period to continue its development; Jacques (Maurice Pol-Roger's son), the 3rd generation, joined the family business in 1927, in a difficult context on the eve of the major stock market crisis of October 1929.

From the third generation to the sixth

By the time Georges Pol-Roger died in 1950, followed by his brother Maurice in 1959, the third generation was already at the helm with Jacques and Jean Pol-Roger, later joined by Maurice Pol-Roger's grandson Christian de Billy. In 1963, Christian Pol-Roger joined the staff as General Manager. In 1988, the fifth generation joined the team, with Hubert de Billy (Christian's son) in charge of sales in France, before becoming sales and marketing director in the 2000s. In 1997, an outsider, Patrice Noyelle, joined the family business as Chairman of the Management Board. While Patrice Noyelle stepped down as Chairman of the Management Board in June 2013 (for the Supervisory Board), replaced by Laurent d'Harcourt (former Pol-Roger export manager), the Supervisory Board was then made up of Christian Pol-Roger, Christian de Billy, Aymar Le Roux, Evelyne de Billy (vineyard manager) and Véronique Collard de Billy. In 2019, Véronique Collard de Billy will succeed her father, Christian de Billy, as Chairman of the Supervisory Board. In November 2020, Bastien Collard de Billy (the 6th generation) became General Secretary of Pol-Roger.

A champagne acclaimed by crowned heads and a charismatic ambassador like no other

It's no secret that Pol Roger champagne is one of the most popular champagnes on Michelin-starred wine lists. But there's another fact for which it's famous. It is a favorite with the crowned heads of the Scandinavian monarchies (Sweden, Norway) and Great Britain. Indeed, it was an early favorite of the UK market, driven by the Royal Family of England. It was in 1877 that the brand obtained the precious sesame of the Royal Seal, facilitating its marketing on the British market.  By obtaining the title of “Royal Warrant”, Maison Pol Roger (the first of the nine champagne houses to do so) became the official supplier to the British Crown. Crowned heads appreciate her for the singular, inimitable style of the champagnes she creates, an iconic style that can withstand the vicissitudes and changes of fashion, as much as of eras. The British Crown never ceases to pay tribute to him on special occasions, like the non-vintage cuvée served at the wedding of Prince William and kate Middleton in 2011 or at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in May 2018 with Brut Réserve champagne.

But Pol Roger champagne soon found its iconic ambassador in Sir Winston Churchill, who said of the House of Pol-Roger that “it was the House with the most delectable address in the World. Where does this intimate relationship between the famous House and the former Prime Minister (twice) of His Majesties, King George VI and his daughter, Queen Elizabeth II, come from? Winston Churchill, then a writer and journalist, has been a loyal Pol-Roger customer since 1908. But it was in 1944 that the close ties between him and Pol Roger champagne were forged under the impetus of Odette Pol-Roger (wife of Jacques Pol Roger, the third generation of the Pol-Roger family). Falling under the spell of Odette and the 1928 vintage she made him taste in Paris at the British Embassy on November 12, 1945, on the occasion of Armistice Day, Sir Winston Churchill swore by this champagne. So much so that Odette Pol Roger would send him a case of vintage 1928 champagne every year until the eminent politician's death in January 1965. This strong friendship between the man and the House of Pol-Roger led, as a posthumous tribute, to the official launch in 1975 of the legendary cuvée Sir Winston Churchill, a rich, complex champagne, as out of the ordinary as Winston Churchill was.

The art of sourcing great grapes, vinifying and ageing exceptional champagnes

The House's renown is due first and foremost to its perpetual quest for perfection and exacting standards against all odds. The excellence of its know-how is already evident in its own vineyards, rich in diversity and rich in terroirs, covering almost a hundred hectares (92 hectares to be precise). A vineyard made up of the finest plots covering the Côte des Blancs (famous for its Chardonnay) and the Montagne de Reims (for its Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier). The House obtains more than 50% of its own supplies, which it then supplements with independent winegrowers (with long-term contracts), carefully chosen for the quality of their work, the plots they cultivate and the grapes that match the style sought by the House. The House is present in the best Crus, from the hillsides of Epernay (Côte des Blancs) such as Cramant, Oiry, Cuis) to the Montagne de Reims (Mareuil, Ambonnay, etc.).

In terms of vinification and ageing, and in keeping with the Pol Roger spirit, whatever the cuvée or type of champagne obtained (non-vintage, vintage), the Maison Pol Roger is keen to preserve the aromatic intensity of the beautiful grapes it harvests by hand. A second cold settling is then carried out (at 6°C for 24 hours). The wines are not aged in oak barrels, but in stainless steel vats. During the long aging process (between 4 and 10 years) in its Epernay cellars, carved out of limestone on three successive levels, the House takes its time (such is the secret of great champagnes). It looks after over 1.6 million bottles a year. It's worth noting that the company is one of the last to still practice manual bottle riddling on a rack, for its entire production. This shows the extent to which she does not skimp on the know-how she has jealously guarded since her beginnings.

Although it is the guardian of a long tradition, the company is no less innovative and forward-looking. And so, in 2024, the House finally unveiled a new production site (on its historic site) in Epernay, on the famous Avenue de Champagne. This “pharaonic” project, which cost 55 million euros, is now ready. After four years' work, this new 18,000 m2 technical complex, designed by Giovanni Pace, enables Pol Roger to produce nearly two million bottles a year in ideal conditions. With more warehousing space to better store disgorged wines prior to packaging and future shipments, Maison Pol Roger is now less cramped than its historic site at 32 de l'Avenue de Champagne, which was built on the initiative of Christian de Billy and Jean Pol Roger in 1968, and at the time covered just 4,200 m2. Thanks to this new complex, the Maison Pol Roger, gaining in flexibility, agility and responsiveness, encompasses its winemaking, production and hospitality activities in a single location.

The house style: inimitable and distinctive

Certainly, this philosophy of giving time to time is a strong marker in the typicity of Pol Roger champagnes. Long ageing ensures the potential and expression of each champagne, from brut sans année (BSA) to cuvée Sir Winston Churchill. The House's champagnes have in common their structure and vinosity (which the English like a lot), but without lacking in roundness and elegance. This consistent style ensures that the different champagnes produced by the house are the perfect companions for aperitifs, desserts and, of course, gourmet or even high-gourmet food.

The Brut Réserve, considered by many to be the best Grande Maison Brut, is a round, fruity wine that is always true to itself. This is the principle behind the great Brut Sans Année wines. Pol Roger produces a natural version (with no added sugar or “dosage”) that is edgier, more cerebral, tauter and more ethereal. It's the Cuvée Pure. There's also Cuvée Rich, a more generous demi-sec.  Then there are the vintage cuvées, which take the House's sumptuous universe to a new level. These champagnes are precise, very fine. Brut Vintage is gourmand and complex in its origins: it is made from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes from 20 Grands Crus and Premiers Crus in the Côte des Blancs and Montagne de Reims regions. Finally, Blanc de Blancs Vintage (made exclusively with Chardonnay) achieves even greater finesse and complexity.

 

The iconic Sir Winston Churchill cuvée:

An internationally-renowned champagne, a tribute to the eponymous former statesman, this is a champagne like no other in its style: complex, rich, full-bodied, powerful, deep. It epitomizes the style of Pol Roger cuvées. The privilege of drinking it is a luxury with history. A tribute to both Sir Winston Churchill and Odette Pol Roger (wife of Jacques Pol-Roger, Maurice Pol-Roger's son). This cuvée was created in 1975, 10 years after Winston Churchill's death. To date, only ten vintages have been produced in thirty years. That's how rare this champagne is, and what a privilege it is to taste it. Champagne made from a secret blend (in proportions) of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, this cuvée has been aged for 10 years in the cool cellars of Maison Pol Roger. Sir Winston Churchill, who was already a loyal customer of Pol Roger champagnes as early as 1908 and who learned to discover more of them throughout his life, notably with the 1928 vintage that Odette Pol Roger introduced him to, summed up the status of Pol Roger champagnes very well and which suits this exceptional vintage perfectly: « My tastes are simple, I'm only satisfied with the best.”

Pol Roger's great vintages:

1900-1928-1937-1943-1945-1947-1953-1959-1962-1969-1970-1975-1978-1979-1982-1983-1985-1988-1989-1990-1996-1998-2002-2008 -2012-2013-2015-2016-2018-2019