Champagne Gardet reflects on decades of global vision
As Champagne Gardet turns 130 years old, its mission to bring fine Champagne to all corners of the globe is stronger than ever.
The 130th anniversary of Champagne Gardet has, understandably, been a family affair. When Christophe Prieux acquired the company in 2007, he had a vision of a family enterprise, led by him and his wife and passed down through the generations. It was a return to first principles – after all, until 1994 the maison had been managed by the Gardet family. Now – and particularly with his daughter Clémence joining the company – Champagne Gardet once more has a family to guide its path.
Yet there is another facet to the celebrations. Beyond a focus on quality – which Prieux explained to db earlier this year – the 130th anniversary of the maison’s founding is an opportunity to recognise its global reach. Although it is a small house, Champagne Gardet has long had an international profile.
Its first decades were a local project; unsurprising, given that two world wars and the Great Depression disrupted trade in the early 20th century. Yet, by the 1950s, Champagne
Gardet had begun to introduce its wines to the world. England was a popular early destination for the wines. Champagne Gardet’s long-respected style, a fresh and vinous direction which prioritises gastronomic pairings and ageing potential, soon found favour in the nation’s prestigious venues.
Since then, the house’s ambitions have not diminished. Although independent and family-owned, Champagne Gardet produces around 1 million bottles a year, making it the 20th largest producer in the region. More than half of this is exported, with European nations (especially the UK, Belgium and Germany) as the main recipients. However, the maison also sends wines much further abroad: drinkers in the US, New Zealand and Japan can all enjoy Champagne Gardet.
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Above and beyond
The global story of Champagne Gardet is, however, more complex than a simple analysis of exports. The house has frequently demonstrated bold positioning to emphasise its quality and expertise.
At points that has meant literally going above the competition, as Champagne Gardet has been served on several airlines. Virgin Atlantic Airways, Delta Airlines and Japan Airlines are among the operators that worked with Champagne Gardet over the years. This month, another is joining the list: Fiji Airlines is serving Champagne Gardet Brut Tradition from summer 2025.
Further prestige has come from the political sphere. Matching Champagne Gardet’s success in its homeland – the wines are served at the French Senate – the maison is stocked in both the House of Commons and the House of Lords in London. Indeed, the upper house even tasked Champagne Gardet with making its bespoke cuvée.
Elsewhere, you can find Champagne Gardet in premium hotels, specialist retailers such as ROB Gourmets’ Market in Brussels, and iconic social settings like London’s Royal Air Force Club. Moreover, the house enjoys a well-established relationship with House of Townend, who brings the wines to the whole of the north of England. In short, you do not need to be in Champagne to enjoy the maison’s fine cuvées.
Indeed, you do not need to be in Champagne to enjoy the anniversary celebrations. Champagne Gardet has crafted its 130th Anniversary Cuvée to mark the milestone, and many of its international partners will be offering it to their customers. The extra-brut Champagne from the 2015 vintage leans into the house style, with 70% of the blend being food-friendly Pinot Noir and eight years on the lees demonstrating the cuvées ageworthiness. Though Champagne will be the epicentre of the year’s festivities, it means that drinkers can toast the house’s history all around the world.
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