2022 has arrived. Happy New Year. Bonne Année. Godt nytår
Happy New Year to you from Solveig and Alain Tange-Gerard.
Maybe you enjoyed a glass of champagne on New Year’s Eve recently? Maybe even one of ours? In your social feeds, we spotted champagne treats from 2012 and even 2002 here and there.
You may be as excited as us to discover if 2022 will also join in the wake of these vintages and develop into another big year of “2”.
The vins clairs of 2021 develop well. This year may have been our worst nightmare in the vineyards. But you know, once the grapes are vinified, it’s almost forgotten, only the new wines count.
They have high acidity and good parameters. How-ever, many smell and taste different than usual. This will be an interesting challenge since the blends of the classic line re-quire a similar taste every year.
The Rosé de Saignée will not be made, due to shortage, but we have stocks from other years.
In 2022 we will manage our 2nd harvest of conversion. We can certify organic after 3 harvests in conversion. We followed the full compulsory program for biodynamic sprays in 2021. Our conclusion is that it’s been a great supplement to the organic program. Currently, we are planning extra biodynamic sprays with more plants.
We also understood that it’s physically too hard for us to continue manually this way. New equipment, due to arrive this spring, will allow us to do so.
Our single champagnes are important walking stones in the change of direction.
The starting point was fully convention-nal in 2009 through sustainable champagnegrower since 2016 into organic conversion since 2021.
The evolution of our singles progresses nicely. Solliage (2013) started out with much lemonish acidity that has diminished with time and a sweeter touch with buttery notes has developped. Solliphere (2014) remains easygoing with a pleasing balance and some notes of maturation on the nose and in the palate. Finally, Sollissime (2015) remains strong and fresh, with fruits and power and its potential of slow mover upheld.
A new single cuvée from 2017 will join the current trio. We will work on the dosage this spring, disgorge the bottles after which they will rest for the dosage to integrate nicely before we will present them to you.
The classic vintages will change.
The current vintage of Blanc de Blancs arrived amidst the December sales last year. We expect our stock of 2015 to last most of the year. If you are a fan of Selection, please note that the much awaited vintage of 2012 will arrive this year. Be aware: It’s likely to sell out fast.
The subsequent vintage of Selection and the rest of the stars team will dress up with new labels as they are all up for a joint make-over later this year.
We are all made of stars. And starry moments light up in many lovely ways.
A glass of champagne is a tasty trick: you serve and meanwhile you sprinkle that magical dust that allows the moment to sparkle more.
Let’s shine in 2022.
New Year’s greetings,
Alain and Solveig Tange-Gerard
The day before the last day of the grapeharvest 2021: we pick the Chardonnays in the plot of les Crochettes in Soulieres.