Reims, 30 September 2022
This year has been a fine, particularly sunny one in Champagne after a rainy 2021. As a result, unlike last year the quantity of grapes is good for this 2022 harvest. The available yield set by the appellation’s regulators is 12,000 kg of grapes per hectare in Champagne, which is the highest level in fifteen years, with certain plots producing well above that level.
Despite the hot summer, the vines did not suffer greatly from the heat. High temperatures have the effect of slowing down maturation. The plant is protecting itself; this is a natural phenomenon.
The grapes are in fine condition, and since there has been little occurrence of diseases this year, their health is perfect. Despite a very sunny year, there has been very little sunburn. Overall, the grapes are a little on the small side, which makes pressing a little more difficult since the skin of the grapes is harder. The yield for the Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes is fairly high, and a bit lower for the Meunier.
Reception of the musts ended on 19 September
The harvest has been rather long and leisurely; there was no need for hurry since weather conditions were favorable and the health of the grapes was satisfactory.
Reception of the musts began in the House’s cellars in Reims on 27 August with the Chardonnay grapes from the Sézannais south of Epernay, and ended on 19 September with the Pinots Noirs from Écueil in the Montagne de Reims. The House of course receives musts from all over Champagne — the Montagne de Reims, Côte des Blancs, Vallée de la Marne, and Côte des Bar.
Isabelle Tellier, Chef de Cave of the House of Chanoine Frères 1730, gave us her early opinion: “The alcoholic fermentation is complete and the malolactic fermentation that I follow it with is underway in the House’s tanks. It’s still too early at this stage to make a final judgment on the wines from this 2022 harvest. But one thing is certain: grape quantities are abundant, and after the reduced harvest in 2021, Mother Nature has been generous with Champagne…”
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