Representatives of the Champagne Growers union (SGV) and Champagne Houses come together within the framework of the CIVC (interprofessional Champagne wines committee) to set the marketable yield for the year.
The tips of the shoots are pinched back to direct the flow of sap – essential to nourish the clusters.
The Champagne month by month
Non-vintage Champagne wines are blended from different crus (growths), different cépages (grape varieties) and different millésimes (years). In exceptional years, the winemaker may decide to blend only the grapes from that year. This is what is known as a "Champagne Millésimé", or Vintage Champagne.
When it comes to Champagne, the word "cuvée" may refer either to the first-pressed juice (20.5 hectoliters per 4,000kg marc) or to the finished blend.
Out story begins with Athanase de Villermont, a great soldier who proved himself in the American War of Independence. On his return to France, he inherited a vast family estate and met German-born Joseph Bollinger with whom he founded Bollinger & Cie in 1829. In 1837 Joseph married Athanase’s daughter, Louise-Charlotte – and so was born the Bollinger dynasty.
The Champagne Houses
