Champagne holds its breath until the Saints de Glace (Ice Saints) are safely past (11, 12, 13 May), dreading a spring freeze that might destroy the future harvest’s fruitful buds.
Desuckering removes the non-fruitful buds (suckers or gourmands). Any unwanted growth is removed to optimise sugar concentration and encourage good sap flow.
The Champagne month by monthEvery year on 22 January, Champagne celebrates the feast of St Vincent, patron saint of winegrowers. Fancy-dress parades, banquets, church services and traditional ceremonies are held to give thanks for the previous year’s harvest and to invoke the saint’s protection for activities in the coming year.
Alain Thiénot comes from one of Reims’ oldest families. In 1985 following 17 years experience as a wine broker he embarked on the challenge of creating his own Champagne House. His children Stanislas and Garance are now gradually taking over the reins, building on the expert teachings of their father.
The Champagne Houses