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The winegrowing companies in the Champagne region want to increase the distance between the rows of vines in the vineyard, which has been fixed for about 100 years. For generations, the distance has been 1.5 metres because the vines compete for water and nutrients. According to experts, this produces a lower but high-quality yield. However, in a vote of the Syndicat General des Vignerons del la Champagne (SGV), the winegrowers' association, the members now spoke out in favour of a further spacing of the vines.
"Our goal is to accompany the necessary agro-ecological change by adapting the vines to climate change while maintaining the quality and uniqueness of the Champagne vines as well as the economic sustainability of the winegrowers", explained Maxime Toubart, President of the Syndicat General des Vignerons del la Champagne (SGV).
To this end, the SGV had elaborated a study over a period of 15 years in cooperation with vintners, Champagne houses and scientists. It found that greater spacing between vines could lead to a 20 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. "This will help us achieve our goals: Zero herbicides, 50 percent less pesticides and 25 percent less carbon emissions by 2025," Toubart stressed before the vote.
Opponents of the new regulation fear that it could lead to job losses, compromised grape quality and the loss of local traditions. "Under the guise of environmental protection, a business project is being carried out to cut costs," said Patrick Leroy of the CGT-Champagne union.Toubart, however, expects the transition to be slow: It is a period "over one, two or three generations", he said.
(uka / Source: drinksbusiness.com - Photo: Comité Champagne)