Champagne Purist: Jérôme Dehours & the Power of Pinot Meunier

Champagne maker Jérôme Dehours brings a rare blend of tradition and rebellion, redefining what Champagne can be through a lens of integrity, terroir, and deep-rooted family legacy.After the early loss of his father and the forced sale of the Dehours estate, Jérôme and his sisters reclaimed their family’s land in 1996. From that moment, he began reshaping the estate’s identity, challenging Champagne’s prestige-driven norms and choosing authenticity over convention.Influenced by Burgundy’s philosophy of place, Jérôme creates “wines that happen to sparkle,” guided not by lab metrics but by instinct, observation, and the expressive character of each vineyard. His commitment to Pinot Meunier, a grape often overshadowed, and his early decision to list lieux-dits on his labels positioned him as a revolutionary voice within Champagne.Joined by Troy Revell, Wine Director at Fearrington House, this episode also features a rare on-camera tasting, offering a front-row view into how a top sommelier experiences these unapologetically terroir-driven wines.Jérôme’s approach is both minimalist and intentional: a Coquard basket press, natural fermentation, and malolactic in bottle all contribute to wines that speak clearly of origin, season, and soil.📍 What You’ll Learn:Jerome's journey into winemaking began after his father's passing.The Vallée de la Marne is known for its unique terroir.Pinot Meunier is often underestimated but has great potential.Transitioning from grape grower to winemaker was a significant challenge.Single vineyard labeling was a bold move in Champagne.Understanding yields is crucial for quality production.Traditional pressing techniques impact the final wine quality.Aging in large wooden vats adds complexity to the wine.The influence of terroir is evident in the wine's character.Jerome emphasizes the importance of natural winemaking practices.🎧 Listen now on YouTube + all podcast platforms🔗 Full episode and show notes at winecentricshow.comWe’re grateful for the support of our episode partners, including Fearrington House and Heather Donovan Real Estate. Backend Tags:jerome dehours, champagne dehours, grower champagne, pinot meunier champagne, vallée de la marne champagne, lieux dits champagne, natural winemaking, terroir driven wines, burgundian style champagne, champagne wine podcast, wine centric show, artisan champagne, champagne terroir, french wine documentary, independent winemaker, champagne tasting, sommelier interview, wine podcast 2025, champagne with troy revell, champagne philosophy