Grand Vin Wine Merchants UK | Blog

Early reports are of a reduced crop in Champagne in 2012. The changeable and challenging conditions of 2012 (the year that summer forgot) made for significant attacks of mildew, and uneven ripening in the Pinots in particular. Strict selection was essential. Average yields are estimated to be down about 25%. So far, pronouncements on overall quality are circumspect. The attention is on the small crop. You might wonder whether it matters that much. Surely the world is not clamouring for Champagne at the moment. What about the recession? In fact, Champagne exports are rising again, after steep declines in 2008 and 2009. According to figures from the CIVC (the inter professional body for Champagne) 2011 saw the best export figures since the record breaking year of 2007. The rapid growth in desire for Champagne in emerging markets grabs the headlines, and imagination.  At a recent Acker Merril auction in Hong Kong, 47 World record prices were set for Champagnes, of which 12 w...