Surprises at the Vendanges 2021!

Based on the mediocre vintages of 2001, 1991, 1981... (except 1961, of course!), at the start of this 2021 vintage, the challenge for Champagne was to prove the Champenois adage "a year with 1, a year of nothing" wrong.

After three years of splendid harvests, both in terms of quality and quantity, Champagne is experiencing an underwhelming harvest this year.

After four exceptionally warm and early winegrowing seasons in a row, which began in August, the 2021 harvest has returned to its autumnal habits, with the first snip of the shears on 6 September in the Aube.

Champagne experienced a succession of climatic incidents throughout the year. Frost, rain and low temperatures caused destruction and favoured the diseases that developed, reducing part of the harvest. While some Vignerons managed to retain a significant part of their harvest, others lost almost everything.

Some regions (Côte des Blancs, Sézannais and parts of Aube and Montagne de Reims) were relatively spared, thanks to favourable weather during flowering and less rainfall.

For others, the average yield will not exceed 2,500 kg/ha (Vallée de la Marne, Vallée de l'Ardre, part of Aube). 

Some will reach 6,000 kg/ha, but some plots will not even be harvested!

A difficult year, a real fight against the elements that reminds us of the vulnerability of this hard work and which, once again, highlights the great courage and determination of the Vignerons.

These days, the sun is finally out!

Good ripeness and excellent acidity make it a quality harvest, even if it is one of the smallest that Champagne has ever known.

In 3 days' time, Grauves, in the Côte des Blancs, the last Cru to begin its harvest, will begin to pick, while in other areas the silence that follows the end of the harvest is already dominating.

In contrast to the small harvest, Champagne sales have been growing strongly since the beginning of the year!

What are you waiting for? Treat yourself and discover our Cuvées in our Boutique!