Forbes India – Environment – How Major Champagne Makers Are Going Green

Ruinart will have planted over 20,000 trees and shrubs by 2023.
Biodiversity back at the heart and soul of its plots Photography by
Mathieu Bonnevie/RuinartBy 2023 Ruinart will have planted over 20,000 trees and shrubs in order to restore biodiversity to its plots.
Image courtesy of Mathieu Bonvie/Ruinart

SChampagne, France is a hot topic right now. The organically farmed area in Champagne does not exceed 4%. This topic could be a hot topic at your New Years celebration. We’ve compiled the most recent sustainable development initiatives to help you master the topic at the next gathering.

Champagne Georges Laval

This brand is a well-known firebrand in organic champagne. Vincent Laval, his father’s heir, decided in 1971 to adopt an ecological approach. He was a true pioneer in this field, and he was shocked to learn that Jacques Cousteau, a famous naval explorer and conservationist, had discovered that even Arctic ice contained pesticides. The visionary winemaker, who had 2.5 hectares of land, adopted a revolutionary approach. He treated the vines that surround his estate according to organic agriculture principles. This allowed him to avoid spraying pesticides to his grapes. Vincent Laval, a visionary winemaker, prefers natural vinification in barrels in order to maintain the sustainable approach he uses in his Cumires vineyard, which is a Premier Cru.

Leclerc-Briant

Leclerc-Briant was one of the pioneering estates of biodynamic viticulture. Lucien Leclerc, a label he created in 1872 in Cumires, has developed an eco-friendly approach to reduce its carbon footprint from the vine to the packaging. In order to be sensitive and environmentally conscious, the team responsible at each stage of production has been trained for High Environmental Value Certification (HVE). This certification guarantees the preservation and enhancement of the natural ecosystem. LeclercBriant says that all raw materials used during production must be identified with AB organic certification. The estate also uses cotton labels for packaging and wrapping. In order to reduce the environmental footprint of transport, the bottle’s weight has fallen from 900g up to 835g.

Ruinart

The principles of “vitiforestry”, which are applied in vineyards to regenerate soil, and reintroduce biodiversity to champagne terrain, is a large project. This is Ruinart’s mission, which launched the pilot project in March in its historic Taissy Vineyard. The label’s initiative was created in collaboration with the Reforest’Action organization. This month saw the planting of over 6,000 trees and shrubs within the vineyards. Ruinart’s plots will have around 20,000 trees or shrubs by 2023. Famous Reims-based estate launched last year an ethical project that saw the introduction of a biodegradable plastic case. It now wants to create a scientific database to share its research with other Champagne producers that would like to reintroduce biodiversity to their land.

Bollinger

Bollinger was the first French wine merchant to receive the label, having been certified “Highly Environmental Value” in 2012. Two years later, Bollinger, an A-based business, was awarded the “Viticulture durable Champagne” certification. This certification considers the preservation and maintenance of biodiversity, fertilization, and fertilization, when it is given its label. Bollinger continues its sustainability efforts in the cellars by supporting local networks. Bollinger purchases 90% of its glass within a 30-km radius from its Champagne headquarters. The company also changed its practices during the vinification process. They used less sulfur and rescinded the use of gelatin for clarification or fining, which filters the wine by removing suspended parts. Additionally, all corks used during the aging are given a second use as insulation panels.

Champagne Didier Dou

This domain is a member in good standing of the association of organic champagnes. They are focusing on parcel-based winemaking to bring out the flavor of their vineyards in each bottle. The entire process is conducted in accordance to AB organic certification. You can taste the distinctive characteristics of each “zone” within the estate, located in Montgueux near Troyes. Champagne’s aroma can be shaped by many factors, including grape variety, vine age, and soil characteristics. Each year, around 20,000 bottles are made. Le Faite cuve contains only pinot noir. It is harvested from 45-year old vines. This champagne has been aged in the cellars for three year.