Comments on: Changing Champagne http://bbrblog.com/2008/03/19/changing-champagne/ The closest link between the people that make wine and the people that drink it Mon, 14 May 2012 21:29:39 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.3 By: Simon Field MW http://bbrblog.com/2008/03/19/changing-champagne/comment-page-1/#comment-1411 Simon Field MW Thu, 03 Apr 2008 12:01:45 +0000 http://bbrblog.com/2008/03/19/changing-champagne/#comment-1411 A very valid point made by Alastair....things were all of a sudden rather tricky for the Champenois in the early 1990s. They may choose not to spend too much effort in rememberance of this thing past, citing the vast vistas of international sales potential which have since opened up. However, the Jeremiahs are right to point to the economic similarities of the two periods. It seems that there are indeed several of the new villages selected that are located in the Aube; but what about adding some of the chalky parcels adjacent to Ambonnay or Le Mesnil -Sur-Oger, perhaps fundamentally with more potential for authenticity, and, if you will excuse that word, 'typicity' not to mention the geographical kudos, by association, with some of the finest villages in the region. A very valid point made by Alastair….things were all of a sudden rather tricky for the Champenois in the early 1990s. They may choose not to spend too much effort in rememberance of this thing past, citing the vast vistas of international sales potential which have since opened up. However, the Jeremiahs are right to point to the economic similarities of the two periods.

It seems that there are indeed several of the new villages selected that are located in the Aube; but what about adding some of the chalky parcels adjacent to Ambonnay or Le Mesnil -Sur-Oger, perhaps fundamentally with more potential for authenticity, and, if you will excuse that word, ‘typicity’ not to mention the geographical kudos, by association, with some of the finest villages in the region.

]]> By: Champagne Expands - Mr. Field’s Response « Rememberance of Wines Past http://bbrblog.com/2008/03/19/changing-champagne/comment-page-1/#comment-1410 Champagne Expands - Mr. Field’s Response « Rememberance of Wines Past Wed, 02 Apr 2008 14:56:17 +0000 http://bbrblog.com/2008/03/19/changing-champagne/#comment-1410 [...] Expands - Mr. Field’s Response April 2, 2008 — auvin I wholeheartedly appreciate Mr. Simon Field’s response to the questions I reaised in a previous entry.  If nothing else, it’s a reflection of the [...] [...] Expands – Mr. Field’s Response April 2, 2008 — auvin I wholeheartedly appreciate Mr. Simon Field’s response to the questions I reaised in a previous entry.  If nothing else, it’s a reflection of the [...]

]]> By: Alastair Woodward http://bbrblog.com/2008/03/19/changing-champagne/comment-page-1/#comment-1415 Alastair Woodward Tue, 01 Apr 2008 18:08:11 +0000 http://bbrblog.com/2008/03/19/changing-champagne/#comment-1415 This topic has elicited some interesting perspectives on both Champagne the wine and the brand. Any change in the wine world is contentious nowadays - look at St. Emilion and the Cru Bourgeois and legal wranglings that resulted there. Looking at the economic perspective I seem to remember during the last major recession in the early nineties the Champenois were having problems shifting their inventories but along came the Millennium and a strong marketing push. We are now heading into less rosy times for the markets and looking at increasing output....either prescient for the next economic upturn or a risk? Time will tell, but I am desperately hoping that champagne and wine do not become simple commodities - although some might argue they already are... This topic has elicited some interesting perspectives on both Champagne the wine and the brand. Any change in the wine world is contentious nowadays – look at St. Emilion and the Cru Bourgeois and legal wranglings that resulted there. Looking at the economic perspective I seem to remember during the last major recession in the early nineties the Champenois were having problems shifting their inventories but along came the Millennium and a strong marketing push. We are now heading into less rosy times for the markets and looking at increasing output….either prescient for the next economic upturn or a risk? Time will tell, but I am desperately hoping that champagne and wine do not become simple commodities – although some might argue they already are…

]]> By: The vine growing regions in Champagne, France at blog.Cellarer http://bbrblog.com/2008/03/19/changing-champagne/comment-page-1/#comment-1413 The vine growing regions in Champagne, France at blog.Cellarer Tue, 01 Apr 2008 13:29:11 +0000 http://bbrblog.com/2008/03/19/changing-champagne/#comment-1413 [...] Here is about the expansion of the appellation area. [...] [...] Here is about the expansion of the appellation area. [...]

]]> By: Simon Field MW http://bbrblog.com/2008/03/19/changing-champagne/comment-page-1/#comment-1412 Simon Field MW Mon, 31 Mar 2008 09:39:07 +0000 http://bbrblog.com/2008/03/19/changing-champagne/#comment-1412 Thanks Alan for your comments. I have been sounding out the growers and they do seem to share a degree of suspicion in terms of some of the sites, this allied, of course, to healthy doses of commercial self-awareness and therefore approval of increased volumes. I wonder if the difference between the two scenarios, Champagne and Chablis, is that in Champagne there has been no inference or implication that these new villages are to rival the finest in the region. The issue is whether or not they are good enough..the differences in style between the various Chablis described appears irrelevant to this discussion, especially given the Champenois proclivity for cross-regional blending and their reliance on dosage to camoflague any minor stylistic differences. The vast majority of the new villages are in the Marne Valley, which reduces the impact of the admittedly valid comments re the soil structure in the Aube. Thanks Alan for your comments. I have been sounding out the growers and they do seem to share a degree of suspicion in terms of some of the sites, this allied, of course, to healthy doses of commercial self-awareness and therefore approval of increased volumes. I wonder if the difference between the two scenarios, Champagne and Chablis, is that in Champagne there has been no inference or implication that these new villages are to rival the finest in the region. The issue is whether or not they are good enough..the differences in style between the various Chablis described appears irrelevant to this discussion, especially given the Champenois proclivity for cross-regional blending and their reliance on dosage to camoflague any minor stylistic differences. The vast majority of the new villages are in the Marne Valley, which reduces the impact of the admittedly valid comments re the soil structure in the Aube.

]]> By: Simon Field MW http://bbrblog.com/2008/03/19/changing-champagne/comment-page-1/#comment-1414 Simon Field MW Fri, 28 Mar 2008 17:22:18 +0000 http://bbrblog.com/2008/03/19/changing-champagne/#comment-1414 Ben, thanks for the comments. I think the next step for them is actually identify appropriate sites within these new villages; let's hope they stick with south-facing chalk and do not get tto carried away! Simon Ben, thanks for the comments. I think the next step for them is actually identify appropriate sites within these new villages; let’s hope they stick with south-facing chalk and do not get tto carried away!
Simon

]]> By: Champagne Expands « Rememberance of Wines Past http://bbrblog.com/2008/03/19/changing-champagne/comment-page-1/#comment-1409 Champagne Expands « Rememberance of Wines Past Thu, 27 Mar 2008 18:40:56 +0000 http://bbrblog.com/2008/03/19/changing-champagne/#comment-1409 [...] Simon Field urges consumers to give “the Champenois the benefit of the doubt” in a recent post on the Berry Brothers & Rudd Fine Wine Blog, I’m inclined to disagree.  If it is true [...] [...] Simon Field urges consumers to give “the Champenois the benefit of the doubt” in a recent post on the Berry Brothers & Rudd Fine Wine Blog, I’m inclined to disagree.  If it is true [...]

]]> By: Ben http://bbrblog.com/2008/03/19/changing-champagne/comment-page-1/#comment-1408 Ben Tue, 25 Mar 2008 09:03:43 +0000 http://bbrblog.com/2008/03/19/changing-champagne/#comment-1408 I've read many articles over the past few weeks regarding the expansion of this region, and I believe the Champenois have received a little too much stick for it. Many thanks for such a great read - it's very refreshing to come accross something which deals with more than one side of the story for a change. I’ve read many articles over the past few weeks regarding the expansion of this region, and I believe the Champenois have received a little too much stick for it. Many thanks for such a great read – it’s very refreshing to come accross something which deals with more than one side of the story for a change.

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