2005 Champagne

2005 in Champagne was not as uniformly successful as in some other French regions. The mild and dry start the year presaged, as so often, a mediocre and often far from mild Spring.

Flowering was pretty much on schedule in June, but July let things down again with bouts of unseasonable rain and occasional patches of mildew. August was better but not dramatically so, and, as so often September redeemed the situation, ensuring ripeness and maturity in the plants.

The crop was of a good size, if not of the same volume as 2004, and the natural sugar levels (9.8% ABV) good if not exceptional. All in all a rather mixed picture and as always with such a proviso, one is advised to buy with care.

Simon Field MW, BBR Champagne Buyer