Alexandre, tell us a little about yourself, your background and career before Brimoncourt.

I was born in Reims, in a family with a curious blend of military and artistic tradition, which, in an unexpected twist, led me to become a lawyer. I graduated from Assas and La Sorbonne Law Schools in Paris, then spent two years as a marine in the French Navy to uphold the family’s tradition. After that, I worked at a major Paris law firm, but eventually left it all behind and moved to New York to become… an intern! I joined a big, well-known auction house, drawn by my passion for art. Those were fun times, including a “special graduation” in Beefeater Martini expertise, countless trips to Cape Cod and the Hamptons, and plenty of adventures with family there.

After New York, I didn’t return to law. Instead, I began buying, selling and dealing in modern art, including works by Rodin, Degas, and others.

What made you want to buy a printing company?

Well, to be honest, I never actually set out to buy a printing company! It happened almost by accident. I was trying to help a bankrupt friend whose family had owned the printing factory for over a century, but he left me with the whole situation. Luckily, I managed to fix things and eventually sold the business to a competitor. That left me with these incredible, empty 19th-century listed premises right in the heart of the Champagne region.

So, what inspired you to start a Champagne house, a complete career change?

It was definitely a career change, but I wouldn’t say I was starting from scratch. I was born in Champagne, grew up harvesting grapes, working in cellars, and surrounded by a family where drinking champagne was part of life. I’ve always been fascinated by this wine: its making, its nuances, its history, and the strong power of evocation it carries.

Reviving Brimoncourt was both a huge entrepreneurial challenge and an opportunity to combine my love for “doing” with expressing myself through the wine and the universe that surrounds it. In many ways, the story of Campbell’s of Beauly resonates with Brimoncourt. Both are rooted in history, creativity, and a deep respect for tradition. Our paths are remarkably parallel, and the values we share create a strong connection between our two brands.

What are the key brand values of Brimoncourt?

For me, life is a journey so it’s better to travel in first class, with a touch of elegance and fun! Or, as your wonderful author and actor Noël Coward put it: “Why do I drink Champagne for breakfast? Well, doesn’t everybody do so?”

At Campbell’s, we consider ourselves niche, and we like that! What distinguishes Brimoncourt from the crowd?

Brimoncourt is often described as a boutique champagne house, and we embrace that label. It suits our clientele, who are typically educated, confident, and spirited, or all three! That said, our promise of being located in the finest 100% Grand Cru area carries great responsibility. Our clients know their wine and champagne, and you can’t fool them (nor would I want to fool myself). That’s why we deliver only the finest quality.

Tell us about the range of champagnes you produce at Brimoncourt. We particularly enjoyed the Blanc de Blancs!

Our range focuses heavily on Chardonnay. Our Brut is one of the few blends on the market with 80% Chardonnay and 20% Pinot Noir. This creates a wonderfully fresh taste. Quality is everything: we age our wines for a minimum of four years on lees, which produces those fine bubbles in the glass. We use a low dosage of added sugar (5 to 6 grams) to maintain the wine’s lightness. If I had to sum up Brimoncourt’s style in three words, they would be: freshness, lightness, and fineness. If that doesn’t make you a happy champagne drinker, I’m not sure what will!

As for the Blanc de Blancs you enjoyed, that’s a 100% Chardonnay blend from the Côte des Blancs, where the vines grow in 90 metres of pure white chalk. It’s a fresh champagne with beautiful minerality and a hint of tension from the terroir. You should also try our Rosé and the Extra Brut, which we served to a thousand guests at the Château de Versailles to celebrate the Entente Cordiale between Queen Victoria and France in 2023.

We were delighted to enjoy champagne with lunch when visiting. Which Brimoncourt is best for pairing with food? Many in the UK think of champagne primarily as an aperitif.

Our Brut Régence is indeed a perfect aperitif, from 7am until 6am the next day. It’s so fresh you’ll never tire of it! But you’re absolutely right, there are fantastic pairings to explore.

Try the Blanc de Blancs with a sushi platter and a great movie for a perfect evening. Our Rosé pairs beautifully with Stilton cheese, while the Extra Brut is fantastic with lightly seasoned scallops. Pure umami.

Can we buy Brimoncourt in the UK?

Yes! In London, you’ll find us at a number of fine establishments, including 67 Pall Mall, The Fat Duck, Boisdales, Adam Handling’s venues, and Sketch, to name a few. You can also buy Brimoncourt online at Wanderlust Wine.