Aldi’s Champagne supplier has announced its earliest grape harvest ever, following an exceptional growing season across the region which saw record winter rainfall and hot summer temperatures soaring well above long-term averages.
Grape pickers started the harvest two weeks ago, following the official go-ahead from industry organisation Comité Champagne, which sets the official start-date each year.
This is the fifth harvest to take place in August in the last 15 years, with harvests usually taking place in September.
Ideal Growing Conditions
“It has been a brilliant year for production in the Champagne region, with rainfall at its highest since 1965, followed by a warm and sunny period during the flowering season,” Aldi Ireland’s wine expert Tom Doorley said.
“This means that the grapes used in Aldi’s Champagne – a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier – have had the ideal growing conditions to produce a vintage that is likely to be of exceptional quality in 2018.”
Aldi’s bestselling bubbly, Veuve Monsigny Champagne (€19.99), is made by Philizot & Fils, who has been working with Aldi for over five years.
Last year, Aldi sold a record 1.27 million bottles to shoppers in the UK & Ireland.
“Our close working relationship with Philizot et Fils has gone from strength to strength over the past five years – a partnership that is absolutely key to bringing great quality, affordable champagne to our stores,” said Finbar McCarthy, Group Buying Director at Aldi Ireland
“They have expanded their production facility to accommodate the continued customer demand for our award-winning Champagne, and we are delighted that such an important relationship is proving to be mutually beneficial.”
© 2018 Checkout – your source for the latest Irish retail news. Article by Aidan O’Sullivan. Click subscribe to sign up for the Checkout print edition.
