Organic champagne also sparkles!
Organic Champagne: taste for amateurs!
Organic is not limited to red wine and still white wine. The most famous fine bubbles of France also have the right to their organic certification. And the least we can say is that organic champagne is not ignored by amateurs. Quite the contrary!
More and more of us trust organic winemaking for civic and environmental reasons. However, we have not said goodbye to your taste requirements. It's because organic champagnes can (often) be of very good quality! The meticulous work and the care taken in the conception of these champagnes give birth to exceptional vintages.
Organic Champagne: taste for amateurs!
Organic is not limited to red wine and still white wine. The most famous fine bubbles of France also have the right to their organic certification. And the least we can say is that organic champagne is not ignored by amateurs. Quite the contrary!
More and more of us trust organic winemaking for civic and environmental reasons. However, we have not said goodbye to your taste requirements. It's because organic champagnes can (often) be of very good quality! The meticulous work and the care taken in the conception of these champagnes give birth to exceptional vintages.
Organic Champagne: taste for amateurs!
To be certified in organic viticulture implies respecting the European regulation on organic production. These prohibit the use of synthetic pesticides and chemical fertilizers. In this method of production, winemaker therefore prohibits the use of synthetic products. It replaces them with plant-based products, copper and sulphur.
In Champagne, to be able to market an organic wine, you have to plan for several years. In addition to the three years required for conversion - as for other vineyards. It is necessary to add the ageing period of the champagne, which is at least 15 months. This period can be extended if winemaker wants to blend wines from different years. Because each wine in the blend must be produced organically in order to qualify for the label.
How to vinify organic champagne?
The European regulation on organic winemaking has been in force since 1 August 2012 and can be found at:
All the ingredients used in the composition of wine must be certified organic. Not only the grapes, but also the sugar and, where appropriate, concentrated grape must and reserve wine. Depending on the origin and quantity of ingredients used. An EU/non-EU agriculture label may appear next to the European organic label (e.g. cane sugar from tropical countries).
The list of additives and auxiliaries is a positive list. Only substances that are included in the list are permitted. They must come from organic raw materials if available.
The sulphur dioxide content depends on the type of wine but also on its sugar content. For Champagne wines, the limit is 150 mg/l.
The list of oenological practices is a negative list. It must mention the practices prohibited in organic winemaking.
All this is ultimately validated by an "AB" certification, assuring the consumer that these different rules of conduct have been followed.
Organic champagne, to conclude:
President of the Association of Organic Champagnes, Pascal Doquet warns: "producing organic here is not something you can improvise". First of all, the risks of rain and disease are quite frequent. They are not to be neglected because they can impact the harvest. Then, you have to have an economic vision on the medium/long term. Because, to market your first "AB" certified champagne, it is necessary to wait longer than for non sparkling wines. Winegrowers often talk about the 6 years necessary between the beginning of the conversion and the marketing of the first bottles. This is explained by the length of time the champagne takes to age in addition to the three years of conversion.
The challenge for Champagne houses lies in their ability to make a successful transition on a large scale. While accepting that in some years they can sometimes lose 10, 20, 30% of the harvest. Still confidential for all these reasons, organic champagnes are in the process of convincing all the players in the sector. Winegrowers, Champagne houses, distributors and of course the final consumer!
Today, you can find very good organic champagnes. Here are some examples: Winery Lahertes Frères, Vouette and Sorbée, Selosse or even Francis Boulard or Charles Dufour...