Champagne Millésime: what is it?

In oenology, the term Millésime refers to the process of harvesting, producing and bottling the grapes of a given year, normally indicated on the label.

In other words, all wines produced in the same year are Millésimes. A 1994 Graves was grown, harvested and vinified in 1994, a 2002 Chablis in 2002. However, there is an exception to the rule: Champagnes.

CHAMPAGNE BSA

The Champagne appellation means that Champagne is made by blending still wines of three main grape varieties (Pinot Noir, Meunier and Chardonnay) from different terroirs and different vintages.

Most Champagnes are 'sans année':

• Brut sans Année, BSA, produced with the three grape varieties (or two, but one of which is undoubtedly Chardonnay).
• Blanc de Blancs "sans année", made solely from the Chardonnay grape variety.
• Blanc de Noirs "sans année", made from the Pinot Noir grape variety alone, or the Meunier grape variety alone, or a blend of the two.

This distinguishes Champagne from other AOC wines which, for the most part, bear on their bottles the indication of the vintage year from which they were obtained.

THE MILLÉSIMES CHAMPAGNES

Champagne Millésimes, unlike Bruts sans Années, are Champagnes obtained from the selection of a single vintage.

A single vintage, which has particularly attracted the attention of the Vigneron because of its specificities, is then used in the blending of a Millésime.

In Champagne, a vintage becomes a Millésime when climatic conditions are favourable and when one or all of the vines are of extraordinary quality, possibly combined with quantity.

A Champagne Millésimé is the exception, the perfect balance between two essential parameters: sugar and acidity.

The grape is a fruit and, like the strawberry or the apricot, is sensitive to climatic changes. A Millésime from the same vineyards and the same terroir will never have the same taste and characteristics from one year to the next.

This phenomenon makes each Millésime a special and rare Cuvée.

Very often Millésimé Champagnes are made in different years depending on the grape variety: an exceptional year for Chardonnay will not necessarily be so for Pinot Noir or Meunier, and vice versa.

WHO DECIDES

It is the Vigneron who decides whether his vintage is worthy of sublimation with the elaboration of a Millésime.

Several factors influence his choice:

• First, of course, the character of the wines of the vintage.
• Secondly, if the harvest is not abundant, the need to have enough wine for his Bruts sans Années of the same year and for his reserve wines (a precious and indispensable reserve for the future).

Neither the administration nor the C.I.V.C. (Comité interprofessionnel du vin de Champagne, an interprofessional body grouping all the operators involved in the Champagne appellation) can intervene to determine whether a particular vintage should be declared Millésime.

However, in recent years, a large number of Vignerons have agreed on the same vintages to be millésime, which is explained by improved cultivation methods, respect for environmental protection certifications, and the adoption of better vinification techniques.

THE ELEMENTS OF A MILLÉSIME CHAMPAGNE

A Millésime is a Champagne whose exceptional character justifies special rules controlling its production: it must be matured on the lees for a minimum of 3 years, usually much longer.

The core elements of a Champagne Millésime are:

• Its personality: the climatic vintage and aromatic intensity make it a Champagne with character.
• Its maturity: Millésime Champagnes age for 3 to 10 years or more in the cellar before being marketed, which gives them excellent maturity.
• Its balance: from the outset, the grapes and then the clear wines are chosen for their perfect acid-sugar balance, which will allow them to age for a long time.

UNCLAIMED MILLÉSIME CHAMPAGNES

In order for a Cuvée to be defined and claimed as a Champagne Millésime, the Vigneron must go through numerous bureaucratic procedures.

Therefore, a Vigneron sometimes chooses to make a Millésimes without claiming it.

It is therefore a Champagne Millésime but not claimed. The vintage year will therefore not appear on the label or cork.

On the other hand, a Champagne Millésimé claimed will obligatorily have the vintage year on the cork and on the label or neck of the bottle.

Discover our Boutique to taste the Champagnes Millésimes, whether claimed or not, and appreciate the exceptional result of this long work!

Cheers et à votre santé!