Ratafia Champenois is one of Champagne's oldest and most traditional wines, yet remains one of the region's best-kept secrets. Unlike Champagne, it is a fortified wine made by blending freshly pressed grape must with neutral grape spirit before fermentation begins. This preserves the grapes' natural sweetness while resulting in a wine with approximately 16–18% alcohol.
Produced from the same vineyards and grape varieties as Champagne—Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier—Ratafia expresses the region's terroir in an entirely different way. Rather than bubbles and high acidity, it offers a rich, silky texture with flavours of ripe orchard fruit, dried apricot, honey, caramel, roasted nuts and gentle spice, balanced by the freshness that is characteristic of Champagne's cool climate.
Historically, Ratafia was made by growers for family consumption long before it gained official recognition as Ratafia Champenois IGP. Today it has experienced a remarkable revival, with many leading grower-producers crafting small-batch bottlings that showcase both vineyard identity and traditional craftsmanship.
Our collection features Benjamin Petit, whose Ratafia reflects the same philosophy as his Champagnes: estate-grown fruit, meticulous vineyard work and minimal intervention. His interpretation balances natural richness with remarkable freshness and purity, creating a wine that is both indulgent and elegant.
Ratafia Champenois is exceptionally versatile at the table. It can be enjoyed lightly chilled as an aperitif, paired with foie gras, aged Comté, blue cheese, roasted nuts, apple-based desserts or dark chocolate. Increasingly, it is also embraced by sommeliers as a contemplative wine or an exceptional ingredient in modern cocktails.
Often described as Champagne's hidden treasure, Ratafia Champenois offers wine lovers a unique opportunity to discover another expression of the region—one that celebrates the richness of the grape rather than the sparkle of the wine.
Alcohol consumption is harmful to your health. Alcoholic beverages are not sold to persons under 20 years of age.
