Champagne Delamotte Brut NV

Winemaking

Delamotte is one of the oldest Champagne houses, founded in 1760, and sits in Le Mesnil-sur-Oger at the heart of the Côte des Blancs — the same village that anchors its celebrated sibling house, Salon. The two houses share ownership under Laurent-Perrier and, crucially, share the same winemaking team, meaning Delamotte benefits from some of the most exacting Chardonnay expertise in all of Champagne. The philosophy here is one of restraint and precision: let the chalk and the grape speak, and resist the urge to over-dress the wine.

Tasting Notes

There's an immediacy to Delamotte Brut NV that makes it endlessly approachable — the nose opens with fresh green apple, lemon curd, and a whisper of white flowers before a gentle note of brioche and toasted hazelnut drifts in to add warmth and depth. On the palate, the wine is lean and focused in the best possible way, with bright citrus zest and a fine, persistent mousse that feels elegant rather than aggressive. A thread of chalky minerality runs through the mid-palate and into the finish, which is clean, long, and beautifully balanced. Chardonnay clearly drives the blend, giving this Champagne its characteristic freshness and vertical lift.

Producer

Located in Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Delamotte is one of the few Champagne houses situated directly within a Grand Cru village, giving it privileged access to some of the appellation's most coveted Chardonnay fruit. The house is small by Champagne standards, producing in a style that prioritizes quality and terroir fidelity over volume. Farming across their sourcing network reflects the rigorous standards expected of a house under the Laurent-Perrier umbrella, with careful vineyard selection and consistent quality control across vintages.

Terroir

Le Mesnil-sur-Oger sits in the southern stretch of the Côte des Blancs, a narrow ridge of east-facing slopes in the Marne department renowned for producing Champagne's finest Chardonnay. The soils here are dominated by deep Belemnite chalk — a particularly pure, porous limestone that drains well, stresses the vines just enough, and imparts that signature saline minerality that sets Côte des Blancs Champagne apart. The continental climate with its cool growing season preserves natural acidity, which is the structural backbone of everything Delamotte makes.

Food Pairings

The bright acidity and saline minerality make this a natural partner for freshly shucked oysters on the half shell with a simple mignonette — classic for a reason. For something more composed, try it alongside a seared scallop with cauliflower purée and brown butter, where the wine's hazelnut and citrus notes mirror the dish beautifully. And honestly, a bowl of really good salted popcorn on the couch is not a bad way to spend a Tuesday evening with this in your glass.