I wholeheartedly appreciate Mr. Simon Field’s response to the questions I reaised in a previous entry. If nothing else, it’s a reflection of the fact that BB & R, who really led the pack in user friendly retail wine sites about a decade ago now, plans on truly utizilizing their blog to exchange information, and I applaud them for that.
As a “doubting Thomas” it is my nature to question any changes to the AOC period, a fact that quite simply is my nature: I fear change! That being said, Mr. Field’s arguments are reasonable and are as follows:
1. “…in Champagne there has been no inference or implication that these new villages are to rival the finest in the region.”
2. Blending and dosage somewhat eradicate minor differences in the vineyards.
3. The majority of the vineyards are in the Valle du Marne, making my comments regarding the Aube less relevant.
These are all fair points. With regards to #3, to my knowledge, the INAO has not yet released the list of villages to be included, but Drinks International cites an article by the French newspaper l’Union that lists the following villages as having been submitted by the CIVC to the INAO:
Marne: Baslieux-lès-Fismes, Blacy, Boissy-le-Repos, Bouvancourt, Breuil-sur-Vesle, Bussy-le-Repos, Champfleury, Courlandon, Courcy, Courdemanges, Fismes, Huiron, La Ville-sous-Orbais, Le Thoult-Trosnay, Loivre, Montmirail, Mont-sur-Courville, Péas, Romain, Saint-Loup, Soulanges, Ventelay.
Aisne: Marchais-en-Brie
Aube: Arrelles, Balnot-la-Grange, Bossancourt, Bouilly, Etourvy, Fontvannes, Javernant, Laine-aux-Bois, Macey, Messon, Prugny, Saint-Germain-L’Epine, Souligny, Torvilliers, Villery.
Haute-Marne: Champcourt et Harricourt.
So while the majority are villages in the Marne, the Aube is well-represented as well, so I feel that my point concerning is relevant, although perhaps overstated.
My final comment is that, given the propensity of the Valle du Marne to produce Pinot Meunier, I wonder if this will mean an abundance of Pinot Meunier available, and hence, either a greater number of Rose wines, blanc de noirs and generally more examples of fuller-bodied, fruit driven Champagnes in the future? But perhaps, with this, I am now overanalyzing a bit…
In any case, it is a debate that I’m sure will go on for years to come, and reason enough for me to continue checking in on the altogether excellent commentary on the Berry Bros. & Rudd Fine Wine Blog.
