OF ALL THE MAJOR PRODUCERS in France’s Champagne region, only a handful remain family-owned. One of those rare houses is Maison & Domaines Henriot, founded in 1808 and now managed by the seventh generation. As a privately held Champagne house, Henriot deliberately keeps production modest—just over one million bottles a year—while many larger houses produce several million.
Independent ownership allows Henriot to cultivate a distinctive style focused on clarity and purity, particularly in its expression of Chardonnay. Much of the Chardonnay used in Henriot’s cuvées comes from highly regarded Grand and Premier Cru vineyards. “What makes our Champagne special is that its grapes are sourced from beautiful terroirs,” says Laurent Fresnet, Henriot’s cellar master. “Thanks to our independent status as a family-owned house, I can dedicate the time and care required to craft the unique style of our Champagnes.”
Henriot Brut Rosé ($70) showcases freshness and lively fruit character. Fresnet incorporates roughly 35 percent reserve wine, producing a bright, balanced rosé with a pleasing pink hue, a mouth-filling texture and a medium-long finish.
Brut Souverain ($45) is a blend of about 50 percent Chardonnay, 45 percent Pinot Noir and the remainder Pinot Meunier. It pours a pale yellow and delivers a dry, well-structured profile with a fresh, vibrant bouquet.
Blanc de Blancs ($60) is made exclusively from Chardonnay and offers an abundance of delicate bubbles. The wine is clean and ripe with floral notes and a refined, satisfying finish.
Brut Millésime 2006 ($62.50) presents a rich, creamy texture that reflects its balanced composition of equal parts Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, showcasing the house’s skill at vintage expression.
Cuve 38 ($599) is Henriot’s most exclusive release, limited to just 1,000 magnum bottles each year and made entirely from Chardonnay sourced from Côte des Blancs Grand Cru vineyards. Since 1990, the house has preserved the finest portion of each Chardonnay harvest in a solera system; in the current bottling the oldest component dates to 1990 and the youngest to 2008. The result is an exceptional, layered Champagne with remarkable depth.
Across its range, Henriot consistently demonstrates the advantages of careful, artisanal production and a commitment to terroir-driven Chardonnay. After more than two centuries, the house continues to uphold a reputation for elegance, balance and refined style in every bottling.