As part of the Printemps des Champagnes event, which has become the key gathering for wine professionals in Reims, the Club Trésors de Champagne celebrates the christening of the its Special Club Vintage 2017.
The event took place at the Club’s Boutique yesterday, located at the heart of the historic Boulingrin district, with the presence of the 24 artisan winemakers.
This year, the renowned Chef Philippe MILLE, elected Best Craftsman of France in 2011 and freshly invested in the opening of his restaurant, Arbane in Reims, had the honor of sponsoring the 20 Special Club Vintage 2017 cuvées. “I am deeply honored to have been chosen as the godparent this year for these exceptional cuvées” expressed Philippe Mille. “I am delighted to be able to live in Champagne and discover new creations every day, just a few steps away from my restaurant.”
During this ceremony, Thierry Forget, President of the Club, presented the new sponsor with the Club’s honorary diploma, followed by a tasting of the prestigious cuvées from different Champagne crus, the flagships of each winemaker’s range. 14 “Clubmen & Women” thus created 20 Special Club 2017 cuvées, totaling 104,544 bottles and 2,835 magnums.
The 2017 harvest posed a real challenge. Despite a difficult start to the season, marked by strong spring frosts, the hope sparked by an almost perfect summer quickly dissipated during the grape maturation. Thanks to a rigorous sorting, the quantities harvested met expectations, offering a satisfactory acidity and a promising balance. It’s a done deal: the 2017 harvest will thus be bottled as “Special Club”!