With over 150 years of history, Champagne Canard-Duchêne has carved out a distinguished legacy within the world of fine sparkling wines. From its founding by Victor Canard and Léonie Duchêne to its recent rebranding efforts and sustainability initiatives, the Champagne house has continually evolved while staying true to its roots. We sat down with CEO Jérôme Durand to discuss Canard-Duchêne's journey, its dedication to terroir, and how the brand is meeting the demands of both seasoned collectors and younger wine lovers.

Edited excerpts from the interview.

Can you highlight some of the defining moments that have shaped Canard-Duchêne’s legacy?

There are numerous key milestones! The foundation of Canard-Duchêne in the late 19th century by Victor Canard and Léonie Duchêne marked the beginning of the House. From their sons Edmond and Alfred expanding the brand internationally in the early 1900s to Canard-Duchêne being served at the Russian Tsars' tables, the house has always had a strong vision for growth. The appointment of Henri Amant as the first non-family member Cellar Master in 1900 further demonstrated the importance of wine production. We also made major strides with the acquisition of the Château de Ludes in 1929 and later, the creation of the iconic Léonie cuvée in 2003. In 2024, we rebranded with a bold green identity, and this was followed by significant growth in our environmental and sustainability efforts.

How does Canard-Duchêne’s commitment to terroir influence your winemaking process?

Our commitment to terroir is fundamental at every level. We focus on the selection of crus like Ludes, Mailly, Verzy, and Verzenay to showcase the purity and elegance of Pinot Noir, especially from the Montagne de Reims. Our perpetual reserve of Pinot Noir, which forms the backbone of our Blanc de Noirs cuvée, ensures that we’re using the very best fruit for a distinctive and refined style. Aging in our natural chalk cellars in Ludes, alongside organic farming practices, reflects our strong environmental commitment. By 2026, we aim to have 100% of our vineyards certified as sustainably farmed.

The Cuvée V, launched in 2018, honors Canard-Duchêne’s heritage. Could you tell us more about this cuvée?

Cuvée V, launched for our 150th anniversary, encapsulates the essence of Canard-Duchêne’s expertise and rich terroirs. It honors an exceptional vintage with a unique blend crafted by our Cellar Master, Laurent Fédou. This cuvée pays tribute to our heritage, offering a balanced style that is both fresh and fruity, with an emphasis on the elegance of Pinot Noir from Montagne de Reims.

Canard-Duchêne Cellar

What distinguishes Canard-Duchêne’s portfolio of Champagnes from others in the Montagne de Reims?

We aim to elevate Pinot Noir beyond its typical richness to highlight its finesse, elegance, and fruitiness. Our Champagnes reflect a delicate character thanks to the northern terroirs of the Montagne de Reims. The Cuvée Léonie Iconic is a perfect example of this, combining freshness, depth, and complexity with a remarkable intensity, thanks to the perpetual reserve introduced in 2012. Similarly, our Blanc de Noirs cuvée offers elegance with great depth, rooted in our finest Pinot Noirs.

In 2023, Canard-Duchêne became the first Maison to serve as an ambassador for UNESCO’s Champagne mission. What does this role mean for your brand?

Being named the first ambassador for the UNESCO “Maison, Coteaux, and Champagne Cellars” mission is a true honor. It reflects our deep commitment to preserving both nature and the Champagne heritage. Through initiatives like agroforestry, partnerships with organizations like Reforest Action, and biodiversity conservation on our estate, we are ensuring that our natural heritage is protected. This partnership is a reflection of our values and the legacy we want to pass on.

The iconic green identity introduced in 2024 is a bold move. How does this rebranding align with Canard-Duchêne’s vision?

The green identity is a natural extension of our long-standing connection to nature. Green has always been associated with our brand, and now we’ve chosen to emphasize this in a more assertive way. This new visual identity underscores the quality of our wines and our focus on sustainability. We aim to communicate more clearly about our winemaking expertise, using informative labels and highlighting our perpetually reserve, ensuring that our wines’ personalities shine through.

Canard-Duchêne Champagne

How has Canard-Duchêne adapted to changing consumer preferences, particularly among younger wine lovers?

We’ve maintained strong emotional ties with our consumers for over 160 years, and this bond continues to evolve. Today’s consumers seek transparency and meaningful consumption. We’re addressing these desires by offering more information about our wines through our back labels and social media channels. We’ve also observed a growing interest in Blanc de Noirs, which is exciting for us, as we’ve been perfecting this cuvée for over 50 years. By staying authentic and open, we aim to remain relevant to both connoisseurs and the younger generation.

Can you share any exciting upcoming projects or releases that Champagne enthusiasts should look forward to?

We’re eagerly anticipating the launch of our “Iconic” range, previously known as Charles VII. This name change highlights the historic and iconic nature of these cuvées, which come in a unique bottle design. We’re also working on an innovative project to reduce the weight of our bottles, demonstrating our commitment to sustainability. As for future cuvées, we are exploring new oenological approaches, although it’s too soon to reveal specifics. Ultimately, our goal is to remain a transgenerational brand, connecting people through our wines and preserving our legacy for future generations.

Header image sourced from Champagne Canard-Duchêne.

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