Jean de La Fontaine
pronounced zhahn duh la fohn-TENThe label bearing the fabulist's name is the second brand of the family-run Baron Albert house from Charly-sur-Marne, a dozen or so kilometres from Château-Thierry, where Jean de La Fontaine was born in 1621. Today the house is run by three sisters, the founder's granddaughters.
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House signature
The western Marne Valley
The Baron Albert vineyards in Charly-sur-Marne are mostly Meunier, complemented by Chardonnay and a little Pinot Noir.
Freshness in the glass
The grape varieties are vinified separately, and the wines do not go through malolactic fermentation, which preserves their acidity.
Third generation
The house is run by Claire, Lise and Aline Baron, granddaughters of the founder Albert Baron.
At a glance
- Founded
- Maison Baron Albert: 1947 (first vintages in 1946 according to Gault&Millau)
- Based in
- Charly-sur-Marne (Aisne department), Vallée de la Marne
- Type
- a brand of Baron Albert, a family négociant-manipulant with its own vineyards
- Owner
- the Baron family; the house is run by the sisters Claire, Lise and Aline Baron, the third generation
- President
- the Baron family; sales are handled by Claire Baron
- Chef de cave
- Aline Baron (oenologist, responsible for production) and Lise Baron (vineyards and winemaking)
- Vineyards
- 55 ha, including approx. 32 ha of Meunier
- Production
- approx. 530,000 bottles a year (the whole Baron Albert house)
- House style
- Meunier and Chardonnay from the western Vallée de la Marne, wines without malolactic fermentation, varieties vinified separately
Data checked: October 2026.
History
- 1621
The fabulist from Château-Thierry
Jean de La Fontaine was born in Château-Thierry, in Champagne, and baptised on 8 July 1621. His father was master of waters and forests of the duchy of Château-Thierry, and in 1652 the writer himself bought the same office. The region along the Marne is still fond of invoking his name.
- 1946-1947
Albert and Béatrice Baron
Albert Baron and his wife Béatrice founded the house in Charly-sur-Marne in the 1940s. Gault&Millau says the first vintages came out in 1946, while the Guide Hachette and the British merchant Lea & Sandeman date the Baron Albert brand to 1947.
- second generation
Three sons
Albert passed the vineyards and the brand on to his three sons: Gilbert, Gervais and Claude. The Guide Hachette then described the house as a family négoce with 45 ha of vineyards around Château-Thierry.
- today
The Baron sisters
The third generation are Claude's daughters: Claire, Lise and Aline, supported by their father. They farm 55 ha, including 32 ha of Meunier, and produce nearly 530,000 bottles a year. Under the Jean de La Fontaine brand they release cuvées such as L'Éloquente and La Majestueuse.
People
Albert Baron
He founded the house with his wife Béatrice in Charly-sur-Marne. His surname and first name, in reverse order, gave the main brand its name.
Lise Baron
She is responsible for the vineyards and for precision in the vineyard and the cellar. The Guide Hachette wrote that her Champagnes, made without malolactic fermentation, focus on freshness.
Claire Baron
She travels a great deal and runs sales. She also holds a diploma in viticulture and oenology.
Aline Baron
She studied biochemistry and microbiology and is a qualified oenologist. She works on improving production.
House style
Charly-sur-Marne lies in the Aisne department, at the western end of the Vallée de la Marne. The Baron Albert vineyards are mainly Meunier, complemented by Chardonnay and a little Pinot Noir. The varieties are vinified separately, and the wines do not go through malolactic fermentation, which preserves acidity.
Under the Jean de La Fontaine brand the house sells Champagnes in an approachable, fruity style. L'Éloquente won a bronze medal at the Decanter World Wine Awards 2022. La Majestueuse 2012, a vintage with 80% Chardonnay, was rated 91/100 by Gault&Millau. The Brut we stock is a versatile Champagne for a toast and an aperitif.
Key cuvées
- Jean de La Fontaine Brut
- Non-vintage, fruity and fresh, in our range.Serving: for a toast and an aperitif, with nibbles, prawns and Brie.
- Jean de La Fontaine L'Éloquente
- Brut with a bronze medal from the Decanter World Wine Awards 2022.Serving: as an aperitif, with salmon tartare and quiche.
- Jean de La Fontaine La Majestueuse
- A vintage with 80% Chardonnay, 10% Pinot Noir and 10% Meunier; 2012: 91/100 Gault&Millau.Serving: scallops, fish cooked in butter, chicken in cream sauce.
- Jean de La Fontaine Rosé
- The brand's rosé Champagne.Serving: salmon, charcuterie, strawberries.
Curiosities
- Jean de La Fontaine's birthplace in Château-Thierry, built in 1559, is now a museum dedicated to the fabulist. source
- The writer's father, Charles de La Fontaine, was master of waters and forests and captain of the hunt of the duchy of Château-Thierry. His son bought the office in 1652, long before he published the “Fables”. source
- Baron Albert cuvées bear feminine adjectives: L'Universelle, L'Enchanteresse, La Pimpante, L'Émancipée, La Majestueuse. The same custom carried over to the Jean de La Fontaine brand, e.g. L'Éloquente. source
- The house is run by three sisters, the founder's granddaughters. The British merchant Lea & Sandeman puts it simply: “Three sisters now run the house”. source
- According to Lea & Sandeman, Baron Albert's L'Universelle Brut is suitable for vegetarians and vegans. source
- Jean de La Fontaine is the second brand of Baron Albert: the Gault&Millau guide lists La Majestueuse Jean de La Fontaine on this house's page. source
Frequently asked questions
Who makes Jean de La Fontaine Champagne?
The family house of Baron Albert from Charly-sur-Marne, founded in the 1940s by Albert and Béatrice Baron. Jean de La Fontaine is its second brand, as confirmed by the Gault&Millau guide among others. The whole house makes about 530,000 bottles a year from 55 ha.
What links Champagne with Jean de La Fontaine?
The area. The fabulist was born in 1621 in Château-Thierry, a dozen or so kilometres from Charly-sur-Marne, and the region along the Marne is fond of invoking his name. His family home, dating from 1559, is now a museum.
What kind of Champagne is Jean de La Fontaine Brut?
Non-vintage, fruity and fresh, in the affordable range. It works well for a toast and an aperitif. It is based on Meunier from the western Marne Valley, and the absence of malolactic fermentation gives it lively acidity.
What is Jean de La Fontaine La Majestueuse?
The brand's vintage Champagne, with 80% Chardonnay and 10% Pinot Noir. The 2012 vintage was rated 91/100 by Gault&Millau. It is a fuller wine than the Brut, better suited to dinner.
Where is Charly-sur-Marne?
In the Aisne department, at the western end of the Marne Valley, near Château-Thierry. It is still within the Champagne appellation, Meunier country: in the Baron Albert vineyards this variety accounts for more than half of the plantings.
Other houses
All houses
Moët & Chandonpronounced mo-ET ay shahn-DOHN50 bottles
Dom Pérignonpronounced dom peh-ree-NYOHN27 bottles
Bollingerpronounced boh-lan-ZHAY19 bottles
Krugpronounced kroog13 bottles
Charles Heidsieckpronounced sharl ED-sik10 bottles
Veuve Clicquotpronounced vuhv klee-KOH11 bottles
Deutzpronounced duhts10 bottles
Lansonpronounced lahn-SOHN10 bottles- Marguetpronounced mar-GAY10 bottles
Louis Roedererpronounced lwee ROH-duh-rer9 bottles- J-M Sélèquepronounced zhee em seh-LEK10 bottles
Ruinartpronounced rwee-NAR8 bottles
Sources
- Gault&Millau - Baron Albert
- Lea & Sandeman - Champagne Baron Albert
- Guide Hachette des Vins - Baron Albert, rosé (2006, 2014)
- Bottle of Italy - Jean de La Fontaine L'Éloquente
- Wikipedia FR - Jean de La Fontaine
Photos: Annick Bregain, CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons); Léon Auguste, CC0 (Wikimedia Commons).
