Champagne Harvest Kicks Off in France

We’re closing in on that exciting time of year in the world of wine — harvest! In Napa Valley, harvest generally kicks off this time of year with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes, which are used in sparkling wine.

I recently received this interesting information about the 2018 Harvest Kick Off in the Champagne region of France, which is obviously known for Champagne. The article notes that this is the fifth time in the past 15 years that the harvest has begun in August, due to an unusually wet winter and warm spring. 

Check out this press release for some interesting and educational information about Champagne. Here’s an excerpt: 

“The Champagne region of France has announced the start dates for the 2018 harvest, with several villages commencing harvest gradually. The start dates vary by each village and grape varietal, ensuring that every plot is picked at the optimal ripeness. Every year, all the grapes are handpicked—part of the Champagne appellation’s strict regulations and one of the key steps to producing the unique, high-quality sparkling wine that comes only from Champagne, France.”

Enjoy!