We just recieved a vintage report from our friends at Champagne Deutz in Aÿ.
2015 harvest – A very promising vintage
Following reasonable weather conditions in the beginning of the year, 2015 was affected by unprecedented heat and drought in the Champagne region.
Due to high temperatures and lack of rainfall between the end of May and mid-August, the growing cycle of the vine got off to a good start and the vineyards enjoyed perfect conditions for the growth of healthy vines.
The rainy spell in the second week of August was however very welcome and stimulated the growth of the berries. The return of hot, dry weather between the rainy spells ensured that the grapes ripened quickly and in optimum conditions.
Deutz’s Vineyard Director, Patrick Boivin, set the 8th of September as the harvest start date. Harvesting was spread out over a fifteen day period in accordance with the ripeness levels of each individual parcel.
Average yields were in the region of 11,000 kg/ha and the grapes were of exceptionally high quality.
Optimal ripeness levels and perfect health conditions were observed in all the vineyards. A large number of ladybirds (ladybugs) could be found in the vineyards at the time of picking; a sign of perfect control of vineyard treatments and the absence of insecticides for several years. Ladybirds (Ladybugs) have long been present in the vineyards owing to Deutz’s preference for “sustainable agriculture”.
Cellar Master, Michel Davesne, and his assistant, Olivier Bernard, were more than satisfied with the balance of the pressed musts with 7.3 g/L H2S04 acidity and 10.6 % alcohol potential on average for all of the grapes harvested, including the 42 hectares grown by Deutz.
On the exceptional Deutz terroir, outstanding values of up to 11.6% were recorded in some Pinot Noir marcs (Aÿ /Mareuil-sur-Aÿ). The same can be said for the Chardonnays (particularly Le Mesnil and Avize) which displayed perfect ripeness levels (11% vol. for 7.5 g/L H2S04) and are also looking to be very promising.
The conditions seem to indicate an outstanding vintage, and hopefully one that will allow us to produce our vintage cuvées, and maybe even our renowned Prestige Trio (William Deutz / Amour de Deutz and Amour de Deutz Rosé). Although, as CEO Fabrice Rosset reminds us, with a small smile, the wines themselves will decide their own destiny when the still wine are tasted next spring.
