Perhaps you’ve browsed through the sparkling wine section of the Liquor Store and noticed their distinctive yellow label. We are here in the Champagne Region, compliments of Veuve Clicquot.
It is time for the harvest. The conditions were favorable; no botrytis, no mildew. The winemakers are cautiously optimistic for a vintage year.
There is only a window of 10 days to pick the grapes. Migrant workers come here from as far away as Romania. Some of the locals take holidays from their regular work to earn extra income. An experienced picker can make up to €160/day.
Our chauffeur (we are being spoiled) takes us out to the countryside. We pass fields of corn, wheat, and sugar beets enroute to the vineyards and wine cellars. We are met by the amiable and knowledgeable Kasha, a professional, multi-lingual guide provided by our sponsor. Kasha takes us through the Veuve Clicquot story – how the widow (veuve) Barbe-Nicole carried on with the Champagne business after the untimely death of her husband François. The year was 1805 and Barbe-Nicole was 27. In a business world dominated by men, the shrewd widow’s passion, innovation and marketing skills were unmatched.
Kasha takes us down to the wine cellars. During the Great War, they were used as a bomb shelter and a temporary hospital. The cellars are a network of limestone caves that maintain a humidity of 80% and a temperature of 10°C - perfect conditions for aging wine. We are shown old and new processes of winemaking. Oak barrels, dégorgment stations and manual riddling tables are replaced by stainless steel, automated riddling and dégorgment. Pallets of wine (500 bottles) are moved by forklifts.
Our lesson in history and winemaking culminates with Kasha popping the cork of a Veuve Clicquot Rosé. We all raise our glasses and have a casual discussion on wine, foreign languages, France, and Canada. Santé!
It is time for the harvest. The conditions were favorable; no botrytis, no mildew. The winemakers are cautiously optimistic for a vintage year.
There is only a window of 10 days to pick the grapes. Migrant workers come here from as far away as Romania. Some of the locals take holidays from their regular work to earn extra income. An experienced picker can make up to €160/day.
Our chauffeur (we are being spoiled) takes us out to the countryside. We pass fields of corn, wheat, and sugar beets enroute to the vineyards and wine cellars. We are met by the amiable and knowledgeable Kasha, a professional, multi-lingual guide provided by our sponsor. Kasha takes us through the Veuve Clicquot story – how the widow (veuve) Barbe-Nicole carried on with the Champagne business after the untimely death of her husband François. The year was 1805 and Barbe-Nicole was 27. In a business world dominated by men, the shrewd widow’s passion, innovation and marketing skills were unmatched.
Kasha takes us down to the wine cellars. During the Great War, they were used as a bomb shelter and a temporary hospital. The cellars are a network of limestone caves that maintain a humidity of 80% and a temperature of 10°C - perfect conditions for aging wine. We are shown old and new processes of winemaking. Oak barrels, dégorgment stations and manual riddling tables are replaced by stainless steel, automated riddling and dégorgment. Pallets of wine (500 bottles) are moved by forklifts.
Our lesson in history and winemaking culminates with Kasha popping the cork of a Veuve Clicquot Rosé. We all raise our glasses and have a casual discussion on wine, foreign languages, France, and Canada. Santé!
Note: Riddling was invented by the Widow Clicquot to produce a clear wine. In this process, the bottles are gradually inverted, collecting the yeast residue for dégorgment.
J & M
ReplyDeleteThanks for the article, on the wine. Very interesting. Country Side, must be beautiful this time of year.
There you are, on the other side of the world, holding grapes in the palm of your hand!!!
Modern Technology is great!!! Until next time.
Au Revoir!!
Verna
Jim,
ReplyDeleteYou are very close, to my Sunset!! Looking forward to the next chapter.
10:55 A.M. on Sunday Morning, in NL.
Have A Nice Day
Verna