Mildew

When we moved to Champagne we were very aware of the concept of vintage Champagne, or ‘millésimes’ as the French call it. Only made in the best years, and with grapes of only that year, a vintage Champagne represents the art of the winemaker in its purest form. But we didn’t fully understand why there are so few vintage years…until now.

The last few years that we have been here have seen one difficulty or another for the growers. Be it ice, hail, insects, disease, or just plain unruly weather, it seems that a perfect year for the crop is difficult to come by. This year is no exception, with low temperatures and plenty of rain, this years annoyance is mildew, as well as a lack of sun and heat. The tractors have been out almost every week spraying against mildew, and it still keeps raining, so we won’t be holding our breath for a vintage this year.