1959 ushered in a new era in Champagne’s history with the establishment of the intervention society and the invention of the concept of interprofessional commitment, committing to buy or sell a volume of grapes over an 8-year period on the basis of a method of calculating the predefined price, traders and winemakers lay the foundations for a collective partnership aimed at promoting the commercial expansion of champagne. But was the bet far from being won beforehand?
After three years of scarcity, trade is thirsty and winemakers who have the means to store and vinify know that circumstances are conducive to speculation. Since 1957, those who sell light wines and milk wines have been doing a great deal and manage to compensate with Grape Delivery Men feel aggrieved and think they could better keep their harvest to value it better. This context is particularly unfavourable for the GSO project to reorganize interprofessional relations. interest in rare grapes, they feel that the sustainable commitment of most collectors could, by promoting the supply of houses in the harvest, make complementary markets a little less juicy, and it is a virulent opposition, extremely aggressive and active within the vineyard against the project of an “interprofessional society”.
- The return of the commitment forms is scheduled for the end of February and the general assembly.
- Scheduled for March 21.
- Will have to decide the course to follow: collective organization or “all for themselves”? The union leaders.
- Supported by Jean Nollevalle their permanent delegate.
- Lead their staff of pilgrims to explain in the local sections and in the regional assemblies that the project aims to “bring to the mass of winegrowers both a reasonable price and the security of sale”.
- But opponents also occupy the field.
- An article in La Champagne Viticole recounts the tone of union meetings during this period: “Too often.
- As soon as the speaker made his presentation.
- He was assailed by countless criticisms.
- Most of the time on points of detail.
- We were not looking for information but to demolish.
- Under these conditions.
- It is quite certain that the audience.
- Even though they had understood the presentation.
- Did not understand anything else at the end of the meeting.
- Added to this is the fact that any hoax.
- Once launched.
- Becomes a word of the gospel.
- How surprised many were completely confused.
- ” Between the word of the guild and the attacks of those who reject the pr Project.
- The grape sellers are struggling to get a clear idea.
- Are they procrastinating?.
“A serious and serious obligation”
In March, there are crowds in the General Assembly of the SGV. Henri Macquart presents the balance of the commitments made. A mixed record: 15,631 filing cabinets, 8,068 (51. 6%) 3,950 hectares, or 40. 3% of the vineyard’s harvest, have been targeted together for sale, followed by more than half of winemakers. , but Henri Macquart knows that trade (which, for his part, he has signed massively) will feel that the compromised area is insufficient to launch the device, so he asks local delegates to grant the undecided a postponement until March 15. , “in the face of the compromise they have received, many are undecided and understandable. The case before them is extraordinary. ” He said if delegates refused the postponement, the union junta would resign. Despite heated debates, the vote (organized in secret ballot for the occasion) is favourable: 159 in favour, 43 against and 7 draws.
As part of the post-meeting banquet, The President of Commerce, Christian Hiedsieck, says that traders signed massively and in volumes higher than their departures: “If we had not wanted to give a guarantee, we would have signed a commitment three years, time to replenish stocks, but at the beginning over a period of eight years, we are taking risks, since in this period the economic situation may turn up , is a serious and serious obligation for us and not without hesitation that traders can accept such a long-term purchase contract. This is a thoughtful bet that we must make in favor of all the champagne. “
On 20 May, the Board of Directors of the SGV met and found that, reduced to 100% of the area committed covered 50% of the area cultivated by winegrowers, with 10,500 subscriptions, under these conditions, it decided to propose to trade the creation of It also decided to change the terms of the election of trade union administrators to ensure a fair representation of the committed and un pledged. Exceptionally, the council will be renewed at regional harvest meetings, not in the spring. increases from 32 to 38: the representation of the regions remains proportional to the area in vineyards, but three stakeholders will have to be represented: the council will have 14 non-cooperation commitments, 14 committed cooperators, 9 unsused winegrowers and 1 representative of field cooperatives.
Price guarantee
In June, the business accepts the creation of the company but sets a condition: that the SGV undertakes to review the regime of vine plantations. A memorandum of understanding is signed between the winegrowers’ union and the union of unions: they decide to launch, together, the project to reorganize interprofessional relations. They also point out that the vineyard’s commitment is insufficient to cover Champagne’s commercial needs and that, therefore, it is necessary to increase production in the vineyard. For this, they decide to make the plantation regime more flexible and to intensify the study and popularization of suitable technical methods to increase wine production in terms of volume and quality. Henri Geoffroy is commissioned by the board of directors to explain this evolution of union positions to the general assembly: “Can we not forget that economic laws mean that the producer is always a victim of abundance in a free market?” The vine is not an annual crop and until we are absolutely sure that the excess of years will not be detrimental, we will oppose an inconsiderate increase in plantings. However, the SGV recognizes that the creation of the interprofessional society brings a new element to the debate. “The commitment of the merchants exceeds the number of their exits, which shows their desire for expansion. The price guarantee is granted to winegrowers and those who have signed up have the formal guarantee of the disposition of the part of their harvest that they want to sell. Taking this into account, we have to admit that the average potential of champagne production should be brought to 200,000 pieces. “
The Union has finally won its bet: the new organization will be constituted as far as the harvest comes and will materialize through a differentiation of CIVC vouchers: red vouchers for the amounts incurred (benefiting from a sales priority) and white Vouchers for unsused volumes. While we know in advance that in 1959 all volumes will find buyers, this measure allows winemakers to visualize the implementation of a differentiated treatment of the kilos put up for sale for the next 8 harvests.
Having made the decision to integrate in their collective organization measures designed to soften the vagaries of the climate, the Champenois are finally rewarded with a good harvest. About time! No doubt St. Vincent was waiting for them to learn from their difficulties.
In August, Emile Moreau, director of the HCV, noted that “the clock is beautiful, without being extraordinary. Flowering went well, but the worms in the cluster hurt. However, the clusters are very healthy. ” Estimate the potential in 215,000 pieces. The most optimistic SGV administrators expect 245,000.
The price is set at 245 F / kg (4. 07? D? D) plus a premium for noble grape varieties of 15 F / kg (0. 25?) And in the year. A premium of 10 F / kg (0. 17?) For other champagne grape varieties. It is specified that “these conditions are defined as healthy, ripe and commercial grapes, i. e. peeled and not bound or granized. However, if for material reasons and only for these reasons, some winemakers were unable to deliver peeled grapes, deliveries classified with a 10% discount on prices and premiums can only be accepted after THE CIVC authorization granted after research on the harvest in question. “Musts will have to weigh a minimum power of 10. 5% in 100% vintages, 10% in vintages 90-99% and 9. 5% in other vintages Collectors may, with an exceptional measure, market their harvest even above the limit of 7,500 kg / ha, at the price set for AOC Champagne grapes (i. e. VNCs harvested above the AOC limit yield are automatically reclassified).
The first strokes of mowers take place from 8 September and, in October, La Champagne Viticole can finally take a good look at the harvest: “One of those that mark a milestone in the life of an oenologist!Splendid climate, grapes of perfect presentation, an extraordinary alcoholic strength. “However, trade is disappointing. He was only able to buy 125,000 pieces when he wanted to adjust from 190 to 195,000. The vineyard, disappointed by the price, has retained the largest amount recorded since the war.
VNC: Champagne Natures Wines. This is the name of the volumes collected beyond the maximum yield in AOC.