In Champagne, we've gone from 5500 independent producers to 4500 in just a few years. Some sell their harvests to cooperatives or to major champagne houses.
On the other hand, those who keep everything to vinify as previous generations did, use new ways of working the soil, the vines, the grapes,....the vinification. This is why we speak of new talents in the world of champagne.
Making your own champagne is indeed a very complicated and difficult job when it comes to selling it, especially when you're not a Grande Maison!
As for these Independent Winegrowers, they are always popular with consumers, who are always on the lookout for the most affordable price...but don't worry, a Champagne de Vigneron is just as good as, and sometimes even better than, a Champagne from a major Champagne House!
The Récoltants Manipulant (RM) now export a major part of their champagne cuvées abroad, but what about the consumers in our country, some of whom are still unaware that buying from these few of the smallest Grands would enable them to continue their operations even longer !!!!...we have to believe that soon our own champagne winegrowers won't even be able to sell us their fabulous elixirs, because everything will go elsewhere than here...and that's already the case for some of them, believe us!!!
Very sad reality and very sad news...let's react, because there is still time to act and thank you for them!!!!