100 days on from that date in June and the vendage (the harvest) takes place. The grapes are assessed for sugar content and acidity and the precise moment to pick each bunch is decided across each vineyard. The vineyards are soon full of workers, hand picking every bunch, those bunches taken straight to the press where the cuvee is gently squeezed, followed by the tirage. The harvest is over in a few weeks and the annual celebrations begin.

Autumn is about choosing your Festive champagnes. Plenty of tasting events take place here in the UK to enable you to sample new Houses and of course, the well know Grand Marques. As the nights draw in and the evenings cool, the best Brut champagnes can be enjoyed. Early autumn barbeques are enjoyed with the complex flavours to complement the seasonal foods now available.