What is organic champagne?
We know about organic food and fashion, we know less about organic champagne, and yet! It has a growing interest in the image of sustainable and conscious lifestyles. In Epernay, many winegrowers and winemakers have engaged their ecological responsibility to produce an organic champagne. Do you have a desire for sustainable tourism, in an environment where the beauty of the landscape rivals the commitment of its inhabitants? You have arrived at your destination!
To be certified organic, a champagne must be grown and vinified organically. In Champagne, organic viticulture was born in the 70s thanks to a few precursor winemakers, before expanding. For a long time, organic champagne was the prerogative of winegrowers, but it has now been emulated by cooperatives and Champagne Houses.
A sustainable and responsible viticulture
Like other certified organic wines, organic champagne is produced from organically grown grapes. This method of production is different from traditional viticulture because it does not use synthetic pesticides, chemical fertilizers or GMOs. The goal? To produce a quality champagne, while protecting the environment. Organic viticulture is part of a sustainable logic aimed at preserving the quality of water and soil, promoting biodiversity, in short, respecting nature!
On a daily basis, this implies an active approach for the winegrower, who must adapt his viticultural practices. From specific tools such as horse ploughing, green manure, grassing and composting allow him to maintain a sufficient level of harvest, with exceptional quality. In Epernay, in the heart of the Champagne region, these sustainable practices shape the vineyard and reveal the beauty of the terroir.
What about biodynamics?
You have certainly already heard about biodynamics. This viticulture is very similar to organic viticulture, with the difference that it is used as a complement to natural preparations (based on medicinal plants or minerals) and takes into account the cosmic influence. The idea? Growing vines at the rhythm of our planet and the cosmos to work in harmony with nature! Several winemakers practice this viticulture in Epernay and the surrounding area.
Organic winemaking
No organic champagne without organic vinification! The process of making champagne is the same as that of classic champagne, with the major difference that it is governed by the European organic wine-making regulation in force since August 1, 2012. Concretely, everything that goes into the wine must be certified organic or authorized (grapes, sugar, additives and auxiliaries). Certain winemaking practices are prohibited in organic farming to ensure optimal traceability and quality.
Organic, a certification that makes sense
To obtain the organic certification, the winemaker or the champagne brand undertakes to respect the European regulations on organic production. This process takes time, as the conversion of the vineyard to organic is spread over a period of 3 years before the first 100% organic harvest. It is then necessary to wait another 2 years of wine making so that the first certified organic vintage is born. It is then stamped with the the famous AB green logo or the European green leaf, guarantees of quality.
The choice of organic is often an obvious one for the winemakers who make it. Between return to the sources and passion for their soil, it is an approach that gives meaning to their activity!
Taste organic champagne
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