Champagne Salon

Salon Champagne is one of France's most pristine champagne houses, produced with an unwavering focus on quality and singularity. It is made from one single man, Eugene Aime Salon, in one single region, the Côte de Blancs, using one single cru, le Mesnil-sur-Oger, and one single grape variety, Chardonnay. Only 44 vintages have been released in the estate's 120-year history, displaying the treasured nature of each bottle. Learn about the illustrious history behind Salon Champagne below.

Salon Champagne: Grandeur Behind the Historic Champagne House

In the early 20th century, Parisian businessman Eugene Aime Salon founded the Salon Champagne house in the heart of the French region. While he intended to only create the bottles for personal use, Eugene eventually released the inaugural 1905 Salon Champagne vintage in 1920, setting the standard for the estate's rigorous aging processes. Eugene was an influential figure in Paris' Roaring 20s, often bringing his estate's champagne to decadent parties, making Salon Champagne a popular wine at such events. 

Contrary to widespread beliefs around Champagne at the time, Eugene crafted his cuvées with only Chardonnay, believing most champagne contained an inordinate amount of Pinot Noir. Thus, 'Blanc de Blancs' champagne was created— the first of its kind to make an appearance on the market. Though the term had not been created during Salon Champagne's first vintage, it was eventually coined in 1929 when the Reims Trade Register mentioned "Salon Mesnil Nature 'Blanc de Blancs.' 

Eugene Aime Salon eventually passed away in 1943, leaving the champagne house with little direction. In 1968, the estate found ownership in Dubonet-Cinzano, a member of the Pernod-Ricard group. However, Salon Champagne struggled during this time as bottles were routinely given away for free. It was not until 1989 when rival house, Laurent Perrier, purchased the estate that Salon Champagne once more entered the European gilded life. And, only five years earlier, Salon Champagne had entered the United States, though it took years before the champagne was accepted as a top-class bottle in the market. 

Today, Didier Depond is the manager of Salon Champagne and is supported by cellar master Michel Fauconnet. The pair continues to honor and drive forward Salon's legacy as a world-class champagne.

Salon Champagne: 'Blanc de Blancs' from Le Mesnil-sur-Oger

From its 1905 inception, Salon Champagne has operated from the same vineyard: Le Mesnil-sur-Oger. The vineyard is located in the Côte de Blancs, the same region as Krug Champagne's legendary Clos du Mesnil. While the site was originally planted in 1905, the vines were replanted in 2002 due to a virus that affected the aging vines. Ultimately, the small one-hectare parcel contains 19 parcels, and only the top fruit is selected for the rare vintages.

Once handpicked and sorted, the fruit is immediately pressed. There is no malolactic conversion, leading to more richness and higher acidity in the final blend. Once each vintage is complete, the bottles are aged for 8-12 years and released every few years to the market. In the estate's 120-year history, only 44 vintages have been produced, with around 60,000 bottles each vintage. This low-yield production has added to the allure of Salon Champagne, driving higher prices for consumers and ensuring the bottles remain a treasured cuvée for grande celebrations. 

"In the cellar today we have the vintages for the next 15 years. For us, 20 years is tomorrow." — Didier Depond

In years not deemed fine enough for Salon Champagne, fruit is sent to its neighbor and sister estate, Champagne Delamotte. As the 5th oldest Champagne house in French history (dating back to 1760), Delmaotte is also owned by Laurent Perrier, adding to the prestige of the champagne house.

Salon 2013

Salon Champagne's 2013 vintage is only the seventh vintage released in the 21st century. The bottles hit the market in late 2023 at an astonishing $1,500 per bottle, illustrating the high demand for this coveted champagne. Rated 99 points by Antonio Galloni, who called the wine "Magnificent," the vintage has remained in Liv-ex's Champagne 50 Index since its public release. Perfect for long-term cellaring for drinkers or collectors looking to invest in the bottle, the Salon 2013 vintage is a must-buy for serious enthusiasts. 

Salon Champagne: Luxury For Your Cellar

With such a grand history and rare production, a bottle of Salon Champagne is a sign of true prestige for any collector. Acquiring a bottle can be difficult, which is why it is important to act fast. Browse through our selection of Salon Champagne and add a bottle to your cellar today.