Dhondt-Grellet’s Cramant Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru highlights what makes Cramant unique within the Côte des Blancs: a more open, generous and immediately expressive style of Chardonnay, with ripe citrus and a supple, almost creamy texture. Compared to the tighter, more linear precision of Le Mesnil-sur-Oger or the firmer structure of Avize, and the broader, rounder profile of Oger, Cramant sits in between—combining chalky minerality with natural richness and early approachability.
Style
A refined and mineral-driven Champagne, combining freshness, precision, and elegant chalky minerality. Fresh and focused, with subtle brioche complexity and a clean, persistent finish.
Vineyard
Predominantly chalk soils provide signature minerality and finesse. Vineyards sit around 150–200 m elevation, with a continental climate and low yields ensuring concentration and precision.
Winery
Fermented mainly in stainless steel, with a portion aged in oak barrels for added texture and complexity. Reserve wines add depth, followed by 24–36 months on lees. Extra Brut, approximately 2–4 g/L dosage.
Production
Small-production Champagne, crafted to emphasize freshness, mineral precision, and terroir expression.
Nose / Palate
Citrus, green apple, white flowers, toasted nuts, and light brioche. Fresh and precise, with vibrant acidity, pronounced chalky minerality, and a long, clean finish.
Cramant is one of the most celebrated Grand Cru villages of the Côte des Blancs, historically recognised for producing Chardonnay of remarkable purity, finesse and ageing potential. The name itself is thought to derive from the old French cram, referring to the chalky nature of the site — an appropriate reflection of the village’s identity.
The vineyards rise on the eastern slopes of the Côte des Blancs, where Campanian chalk lies close to the surface. The soils vary from very shallow chalk on the upper slopes to deeper, more clay-rich soils lower down, creating a remarkable diversity of expressions within the village.
Cramant Chardonnay is typically defined by a balance of freshness and generosity. Citrus, green and yellow apple, white flowers and ripe stone fruit combine with a distinctly chalky minerality. Compared with Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Cramant generally feels broader and more immediately expressive, while retaining excellent acidity and precision.
Historically, Cramant became one of the reference points for Blanc de Blancs Champagne, and many of its most famous parcels have been cultivated for generations. The village's old vines and varied exposures allow producers to create wines ranging from delicate and floral to powerful, concentrated and deeply mineral.
At its best, Cramant combines the elegance of Chardonnay with the generosity of Grand Cru terroir — fresh and precise, yet textured and expressive, with a long saline finish and considerable potential for bottle ageing.
Dhondt-Grellet is a small, family-run grower in the Côte des Blancs, now led by Adrien Dhondt, one of the most exciting voices of the new Champagne generation. Taking over at a young age, Adrien transformed the estate - farming around 6 hectares of Grand and Premier Cru vineyards - with a focus on living soils, organic and biodynamic principles, and meticulous parcel work.
Deeply inspired by Burgundy, his approach prioritizes ripeness, texture, and terroir expression, with nearly all wines fermented and aged in oak barrels using native yeasts and minimal intervention. Each cuvée is precise and site-driven, often highlighting individual plots from villages like Cramant and Cuis, resulting in wines that are both mineral and richly structured.
Production remains limited, and the style is unmistakable - pure, layered, and intensely vinous Champagnes that bridge the finesse of the Côte des Blancs with a deeper, more textural expression. Dhondt-Grellet stands as a benchmark for modern grower Champagne, combining craftsmanship, curiosity, and a strong sense of place.
Alcohol consumption is harmful to your health. Alcoholic beverages are not sold to persons under 20 years of age.
