Well, it's official, 40 new communes have been added to the Champagne AOC (Appelation d'Origine Controllee), the largest single change in the history of the AOC system. What does this mean?
Well, for one thing, Champagne production will increase. Is that bad for quality? Maybe, it will depend on the various growers and producers, and how they tend their vines and make their wines.
Does that mean that prices will drop? Hell no! In fact, more than likely they'll increase, especially with the rise in the Euro in the past few weeks. So basically we'll see a lot more bottles at a higher cost. Yay.
Of course, anyone planting new vines will keep you waiting about 10 years before their wines are available. So don't get too impatient or thirsty...
That said, the one real positive point is that there will be wines from new villages and areas, places we haven't tasted yet. A whole new world of Champagne is about to open up to us, so bubbleheads around the world should rejoice at exploring new regions and towns.
Who knows, the next Clos du Mesnil might be hiding somewhere within these communes... (I doubt it, but miracles do happen)
Cheers!
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