Vendanges Begins

We are told this is the earliest year a vendanges has started in Champagne. The sun didn’t peep his head out, but it was a warm humid day, interspersed with rain showers, to freshen the mood. The pickers were out in force throughout our valley that runs the 3 miles from Viviers-Sur-Artaut to Landreville. We could count at least 8 teams across both sides. Carefully sweeping up and down the rows of vines, snipping as they went. The black Pinot Noir grapes, ripe, firm and juicy. If you were to eat one, they have a very thick skin, with soft sweet flesh. They are picking for the big Champagne houses like Veuve Clicquot and Moët et Chandon but also for the smaller more boutique brands, who are making some exceptional Champagne such at Petiteaux, Robert-Grandpierre, and André Fay et Fils to name a few.