Vincent Couche, the man who maps terroirs to make the earth speak

The Champagne winemaker from the Côte des Bar has decided to expand into neighboring Côte-d'Or. On the terroir of Molesme, he offers equally inspired still wines.

Guillaume Rebière Published on 8/13/25 at 10:09 AM

He's a man who's all about quality and geography! From a family of winegrowers based in Buxeuil, Aube, where he produces renowned organic and biodynamic cuvées, Vincent Couche has crossed the more-than-imaginary border between Champagne and Burgundy. From these two worlds, the enterprising fifty-year-old has created a synthesis of sorts. After an initial foray into Chablis in 2010, he now cultivates 17 hectares around Molesme, in the far north of the Côte-d'Or. i think of myself as a single estate," he enthuses. My way of working is identical, that is to say, without limits and with the desire to bring happiness to consumers. I come from the Côte des Bar region, which wasn't very famous until twenty years ago. The Châtillonnais is in the same situation as Burgundy, but there's real potential to make great wines. "

A terroir reinventing itself

Perceived as a bubbly zone due to its proximity to Champagne, this wine-growing region of around 250 hectares, still mainly focused on the production of crémants, also offers still wines. Vincent Couche applies the same high standards of quality to his sparkling chardonnay and pinot noir: " I had the soil of our Molesme plots mapped. There's a little Kimmeridgian and mostly Upper Oxfordian, as in the Côte de Beaune. A very interesting terroir in the context of global warming and the current demand for fresh, delicate white wines. "The range includes five references in addition to Chablis vinified in amphora and oak barrels. All offer the thirst-quenching finesse for which the domaine is famous, and are priced between €15 and €25. " Drinkable prices ", he smiles, allowing wine-lovers to enjoy affordable Burgundy, rare elsewhere in Côte-d'Or.

Between now and 2030, the winemaker plans to produce up to 15 cuvées, based on well-identified plots of land. He has also planted 5 hectares of aligoté, a neglected grape variety in his opinion, in phase with today's maturities. Vincent Couche is still expanding in an area where land is still inexpensive, despite growing interest from other vineyards, particularly in Champagne. He has decided to extend his playground as far south as Beaujolais, acquiring 4 hectares in the Juliénas and Chénas crus, with vines that are sometimes over 100 years old. It's a way of smoothing out the ups and downs of the past few years, when the Molesme vineyards have suffered hail and frost, and of practicing the Champagne art of blending.

The Domaine de Molesme does not yet have its own reception. Please contact the Buxeuil site in Champagne.