GH Mumm and Perrier-Jouet have described this year’s Champagne harvest as “unprecedented” - given an early harvest and erratic weather patterns.

Flowering took place three weeks early, following a harsh winter and warm spring, which culminated in the Houses starting to pick on August 23 at Aÿ and Dizy.

The Côte des Blancs vineyards at Avize, Chouilly and Cramant and the Montagne de Reims vineyards at Mailly began on August 25. 

Weather during the harvest season has been erratic - an unexpected heat wave at the end of the month and a little rain slowed down ripening and delayed picking.

Most sites had finished by September 3, and the final grapes were harvested on five days later.

The Houses predicted 2011 should be a good year, judging by grape soundness and the aromatic quality of the must. This year’s must has 7.5 g/l of acidity and a potential alcohol content of 9.4 on average.

Michel Letter, deputy chief executive of G.H. Mumm and Perrier-Jouët Champagne, said: “This year’s harvest has been unprecedented, proving there are no set rules when you work with the produce of nature. Although everything has been so early, we have coped well and taken the time needed to tend our plots. The yield for both Houses is good and first results are promising.”

The available yield in Champagne this year is 12,500 kilos per hectare, a 20% increase on last year. G.H. Mumm and Perrier-Jouët saw growth of 6% and 14% respectively in volume this year, which they claim leaves them in a good position to replenish stocks to meet future demand.