Champagne Lété-Vautrain is a small, family-run grower-producer in the Vallée de la Marne, established in the 1960s by Robert Lété and Liliane Vautrain.

The estate owns 7.5 to 8 hectares of vineyards, primarily in the Château-Thierry area, specialising in Pinot Meunier. They control the entire process from grape cultivation to winemaking, producing characterful and authentic wines, often featuring a blend of 50% Pinot Meunier, 25% Chardonnay, and 25% Pinot Noir.

The Champagne wine region, located in northeastern France, is the only place in the world legally permitted to produce wine labelled as Champagne. It is renowned globally for its sparkling wines made using the traditional method (méthode traditionnelle), which involves a second fermentation in the bottle.

Champagne’s cool, northern climate is a defining influence on its wine style. The region experiences low average temperatures, which help preserve acidity—crucial for sparkling wine. Its chalky soils provide excellent drainage while retaining moisture, and also contribute to the region’s signature minerality and finesse.

The region is divided into five key sub-regions: Montagne de Reims, known for structured Pinot Noir; Vallée de la Marne, which produces fruit-forward wines with a focus on Pinot Meunier; Côte des Blancs, famed for elegant Chardonnay; Côte de Sézanne, also Chardonnay-dominant; and Aube (Côte des Bar), which is increasingly recognised for high-quality Pinot Noir.

The three main grape varieties planted are Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier. Chardonnay lends freshness and longevity; Pinot Noir provides body and structure; and Pinot Meunier contributes fruitiness and early-drinking charm.

Pinot Meunier is a black grape variety primarily known as one of the three key grapes used in Champagne, alongside Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Its name, meaning "miller" in French, refers to the flour-dusted appearance of its leaves. A mutation of Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier originated in France and has long been valued for its early ripening and adaptability, especially in cooler climates where other varieties may struggle.

Viticulturally, Pinot Meunier is hardy and frost-resistant, making it ideal for regions such as Champagne. It buds late and ripens early, helping to maintain acidity and fruit freshness. Though historically considered a secondary variety, it is increasingly appreciated for its contribution to fruitiness, approachability, and roundness in sparkling wine blends.

Beyond Champagne, Pinot Meunier is grown in Germany (where it's known as Schwarzriesling), the United Kingdom, Australia, and the United States, particularly California and Oregon. While most commonly used in sparkling wine, it also produces expressive still wines, particularly in cooler regions.

In terms of flavour, Pinot Meunier tends to show vibrant red fruit notes—such as raspberry, cherry, and strawberry—along with floral and earthy nuances. Its wines are generally softer and more accessible than Pinot Noir, making them appealing in youth and versatile in style.

Chardonnay is one of the world’s most popular and versatile white grape varieties, originating from the Burgundy region of France. It is a relatively adaptable vine, thriving in a range of climates and soil types, making it widely planted across the globe. Chardonnay ripens early to mid-season and is known for its ability to express terroir, as well as respond well to a variety of winemaking techniques, including oak ageing and malolactic fermentation.

Today, Chardonnay is grown in nearly every major wine-producing country. In France, it shines in Burgundy’s Chablis (crisp, mineral-driven) and Côte de Beaune (rich, complex), and is also a key component of Champagne. In the New World, regions like California, Australia (Yarra Valley, Margaret River), New Zealand, and Chile produce diverse expressions, ranging from lean and citrusy to full-bodied and buttery.

Cool-climate Chardonnays tend to show green apple, lemon, and flinty notes, while warmer regions yield riper flavours like tropical fruit, peach, and melon. Oak-aged Chardonnays may exhibit vanilla, toast, and nutty characteristics, while unoaked versions highlight freshness and purity of fruit.

This remarkable flexibility makes Chardonnay a favourite among winemakers and wine lovers alike, offering a wide spectrum of styles and flavours.

Pinot Noir is one of the world’s most celebrated and challenging grape varieties, renowned for producing elegant, complex wines. Believed to have originated in Burgundy, France, over 1,000 years ago, it thrives in cooler climates where its thin skin and early ripening nature are best suited. Viticulturally, Pinot Noir is notoriously difficult to grow: it is susceptible to rot, mildew, and pests, and requires precise canopy management to balance ripening with acidity retention.

Pinot Noir is planted across the globe, with notable expressions found in Burgundy, Champagne, Oregon’s Willamette Valley, California’s Sonoma Coast, New Zealand’s Central Otago, and Germany’s Baden and Pfalz regions. In Champagne, it is a key component of sparkling wines, typically blended with Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier. The wine's diverse geographical range means that you might also find it labelled as Red Burgundy, Pinot Nero, Blauburgunder, or Spätburgunder.

The grape produces wines of delicate colour but remarkable aromatic depth. Typical flavour profiles include red fruits such as cherry, raspberry, and strawberry, often layered with floral notes, earthy undertones, and hints of spice or forest floor as the wines mature. Styles range from light and silky to more structured and age-worthy, depending on climate and winemaking choices. Pinot Noir’s ability to express terroir with precision makes it a favourite among wine lovers, despite — or perhaps because of — its demanding nature in the vineyard.