Yann Alexandre

Editorial profile

Champagne Yann Alexandre is an independent grower based in Courmas, on the Petite Montagne de Reims. Yann represents the eighth generation of the family to work vines in the area and took charge of the estate in the early 2000s; his wife Séverine Alexandre joined the business in 2009.

Current 2026 trade material places the domaine at about 6.3 hectares across 28 parcels in nine villages. Meunier is the principal grape, complemented by Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, and the vineyard holds Haute Valeur Environnementale Level 3 certification.

Why this producer matters

Yann Alexandre is particularly useful for understanding how a dispersed western Montagne de Reims vineyard can be organised into a clear hierarchy of wines. The range moves from broad reserve-based blends through Premier Cru wines and then into Courmas village and single-parcel bottlings.

The cellar is deliberately flexible rather than ideological. Stainless steel and oak are both used; malolactic fermentation may be complete, partial or blocked depending on the wine; and dosage ranges from Brut Nature to Brut. The common thread is matching the method to the intended origin and structure of each cuvée.

Vineyards and cellar approach

The estate's parcels extend beyond Courmas into other parts of the Petite Montagne de Reims and selected neighbouring sectors. That dispersed geography is reflected most clearly in the broader blends, while the top of the range narrows down to specific villages and parcels.

The March 2026 producer book shows the distinction clearly. Roche Mère and Brut Noir use fruit from the Petite Montagne de Reims, Massif de Saint-Thierry and Vitryat. Grande Réserve comes from Coulommes-la-Montagne and Villedommange. Courmas and Sous-les-Roses then reduce the map to one village and, in the latter case, one parcel.

Current and meaningful cuvées

Roche Mère Brut Nature is currently based on the 2020 harvest with 40% reserve wine, blending 45% Meunier, 40% Chardonnay and 15% Pinot Noir. It is fermented in stainless steel, undergoes malolactic fermentation and is finished at 0 g/L.

Brut Noir is not a Blanc de Noirs despite its name. The current Assemblage No. 22 is 100% reserve wines with the same 45/40/15 grape proportions, stainless-steel fermentation, full malolactic fermentation and 7 g/L dosage.

Grande Réserve Premier Cru currently combines the 2018 harvest with 30% reserve wine, using 50% Pinot Noir, 45% Chardonnay and 5% Meunier from Coulommes-la-Montagne and Villedommange. Part of the wine is fermented in oak and malolactic fermentation is partial.

Blanches Terres Rosé Premier Cru is currently based on the 2021 harvest plus 45% reserve wine, with 96% Chardonnay and 4% Pinot Noir red wine. It is fermented in oak, does not undergo malolactic fermentation and is finished Extra Brut.

Courmas 2018 Blanc de Blancs is 100% Chardonnay from the Courmas parcels Les Carreaux, Les Grèves and Les Leusonnes. It is fermented in oak without malolactic fermentation and currently carries a 4 g/L Extra-Brut dosage.

Sous-les-Roses 2018 Blanc de Noirs is a single-parcel Courmas wine of 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Meunier, fermented in oak without malolactic fermentation and also finished at 4 g/L.

The estate additionally makes Terres des Clos 2022, a 100% Pinot Noir Coteaux Champenois from Marfaux. It is a still red wine and should remain separate from the Champagne range.

Champagne.co analysis

The strongest feature of Yann Alexandre is the way the range becomes progressively more specific. Roche Mère and Brut Noir show the estate's ability to blend across sectors and reserve years. Grande Réserve and Blanches Terres narrow the geography. Courmas and Sous-les-Roses then make origin the central idea.

That progression also explains the varied cellar choices. Oak is used where Yann wants it, not everywhere; malolactic fermentation is controlled wine by wine; and dosage follows the cuvée rather than one house-wide rule.

Buying guidance

Start with Roche Mère for the zero-dosage broad-estate expression or Brut Noir for the reserve-wine counterpart. Move to Grande Réserve or Blanches Terres for Premier Cru wines with more selective origins.

Choose Courmas 2018 or Sous-les-Roses 2018 for the clearest site-specific wines. If buying Terres des Clos, remember that it is Coteaux Champenois still wine rather than Champagne. Exact vintage, disgorgement and dosage should always remain attached to the specific release.