The Champagne Region of France
It’s getting bigger…..
France has revealed its plans to expand the Champagne growing area in a bid to keep up with the growing demand for its bubbly. This is quite radical for France, you have to go back to 1927 when the law was made establishing the borders within which Champagne could be made under the AOC label to understand the depth of history behind this great drink.
There are currently 319 villages across 83,000 acres in north-eastern France which are covered by the AOC label, the plans would allow for another forty villages to be included if they are deemed good enough for approval. Even if they are included it will be ten years or more before the public will get the chance to taste the wines.
So why the panic? well France’s exports of Champagne have reached an al time high; 150.9 million bottles were sold abroad last year, with Russia and China increasing their imports quite dramatically.
Surprisingly Britain imports the most, some 38.9 million bottles compared to America’s 21.7 million and Japan in third place with 9.1 million.
Will the overall quality image of Champagne be affected by this? I don’t think so, France is fiercely proud of its wines and they will not take this decision lightly. The final say goes to the state council and they are not expected to make a decision unti 2009.
So any rappers or b-league football players can sleep a little more soundly tonight!
Miles,
It’s just too cold to bathe in the stuff until July anyway
A cousin bought me a bottle of Bollinger once and I must say I could easily get a liking for it…. however at over £30 a bottle I’m waiting for a momentous occasion… something like the next sewage disaster clean-up operation
Cid
April 4, 2008 @ 11:50 am
Miles,
.
Drinking it can be like all bubbles and no wine, a bit like the swiss cheese with holes in it
If they extend towards the north the channel crossings will get busier than ever!
Elsie
April 4, 2008 @ 12:36 pm
Cid,
Open the Bolinger-stop being tight
Miles
April 4, 2008 @ 9:11 pm
Elsie,
I can take or leave Champagne, I can think of nicer drinks but a ham and swiss cheese toasted sandwich is hard to beat!
Miles
April 4, 2008 @ 9:13 pm