Champagne JC Ricciuti Premier Cru Brut Réserve NV

A Wartime Romance

The story began during World War II when Albert Justin Ricciuti, an American GI in General Patton's Third Army, landed on Utah Beach during the Normandy invasion. While liberating the picturesque village of Avenay-Val-d'Or in Champagne, Albert met Paulette Révolte, a young local winegrower and Resistance member.

Reunion and Winemaking

Though Albert moved on with the liberating forces, he and Paulette maintained a correspondence for nearly 20 years. In 1963, Albert returned to France permanently to marry Paulette and settle in her village. Together, they established the Champagne Ricciuti-Révolte estate.

Continuing the Legacy

Later that year, shortly after the assassination of U.S. President John F. Kennedy, the Albert and Paulette had a son. In honor of the fallen American president and French General Charles de Gaulle, they named their son John Charles Ricciuti. Today, John Charles operates the estate under the J.C.R. (John Charles Ricciuti) label. He married Nathalie Legras, whose family has deep winemaking roots in Chouilly, further solidifying the family's place in the Champagne region.