The Diary of a Champagne Producer

By David and Veronique Bourdaire of Pouillon.

Read about the hands on experiences of an Artisan Champagne Producer and the process of developing the grape into Champagne.

Pouillon, March 30, 2008.

In the vineyard :

At the moment, we are pruning our Vines (taille). This operation consists of cutting the branches (branches roots last year) to allow the fruit bearing growth shoots to flourish. These shoots with their buds will become the new branches which will carry the 2008 grape harvest.

Once pruned to the required size, we will attach the branch to a wire so that the vine will grow along it in a manner that will allow us easy access to work on it throughout the year.

                    

All our vineyards are planted with grass. We will apply a chemical weeding where needed under each vine before the buds breakthough (débourrement). At others periods of the year, we will mow the grass and tend to the ground below the vines.

In the cellar :

Wines from the 2007 vintage were bottled in January. The fermentation which takes place in the bottle giving effervescence has now been completed (prise de mousse) and these wines will be presented for the obligatory check for approval by the Champagne authourities in July. Their approval will allow us to sell these wines in the coming years.

We also make monthly quality checks of the reserve wines which are stored in vats and oak barrels.

 

More updates coming Soon..........