In the spring of 2022, Champagne Philipponnat celebrated its 500th anniversary during two exceptional dinners, in Reims and in Paris. Charles Philipponnat, the 15th generation, who has been running the estate for 20 years, took the opportunity to highlight the values that are dear to him.
Charles Philipponnat reminds us that Champagne Philipponnat's concern is to perpetuate the house's identity, with a constant respect for the terroir and for the people who take care of it.
The 22-hectare vineyard, essentially spread over the terroirs of Aÿ, Mareuil-sur-Aÿ and Avenay, in first and great growths. The vineyard is planted with 90% Pinot Noir and a minority of Chardonnay. The aim is to build a sustainable future in which all living things cohabit. This is a way of naturally revealing the terroir's personality and the created cuvées.
Every birthday requires a present to offer. Charles Philipponnat and his son François offered two gifts to their guests.
Firstly, they presented the book 500 ans d’histoire au cœur de la Champagne. This magnificent book, illustrated with numerous drawings and photos from the period, also includes several interviews with personalities from different backgrounds. Among them, Gérard Boyer (chef of Les Crayères in Reims from 1983 to 2003), the writer Amélie Nothomb and the pianist Jean-Philippe Collard, whose mother was a Philipponnat and whose father ran the company until 1989.
Another announcement, and not the least, was the anniversary edition of 2 022 magnums of Réserve Perpétuelle.
While Philipponnat has been practicing a “solera” since 1946, incorporating each year wines of the year into the wines blended in previous years, in the proportion of two thirds new wines for one third reserve wines, for the last ten years the Philipponnat house has also been elaborating, in the secrecy of its cellars, a second “solera” incorporating many more old wines. Here, the proportions are reversed: two thirds old wine is blended with one third new wine. These wines are aged in 45 hectolitre tuns and are a testament to their remarkable quality and longevity. They are designed as “time capsules” and will be disgorged periodically, in batches of 100 magnums, every 5 years, over the course of an entire century. The first ones will be marketed in 2027.
If 2022 is marked by its share of surprises, 2023 is equally promising, with the release of the new vintage Clos de Goisses 2013, rich and mineral, with blackberry and red berry notes. Another is Clos des Goisses L.V. 1997, with smoky, tobacco and cedar notes, a fresh and mineral finish with a touch of pink grapefruit zest. This is a new highlight of this iconic and unique vintage, which demonstrates Champagne Philipponnat's desire to see further ahead.
To be continued...
Sandy Bénard-Ravoisier / Photos : Champagne Philipponnat
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