We had the opportunity to talk to the Export Director of Champagne Mailly Grand Cru, Valérie Aigron, who told us some details about this Champagne Cooperative, established after the crisis of 1929, in the heart of Montagne de Reims. Mailly-Champagne, where the cooperative's 70 hectares of vineyards are located, is one of the 17 Grand Cru regions of Champagne (since 1920). They mostly produce Pinot Noir – 75%, and the rest Chardonnay.
There are about 80 winegrowers who plant the grapes for this cooperative. The same families from the beginning, now with their descendants keeping the roots and quality.
Unlike producers who plant and produce only their own grapes, a cooperative produces all of its champagnes with grapes from several producers, which is why the harvest of all of them is organized to take place at the same time. These grapes are pressed and fermented in stainless steel tanks (first fermentation) separated by parcel (35 in total). This provides a higher quality of the base wines made for the blend.
We asked about malolactic fermentation, and she informed us that they do in some champagnes, but this tends to decrease with the effects of global warming, as it has affected the acidity of wines, which is a characteristic of the region. And malolactic is a process that further reduces the acidity of the drink, and this junction can harm the balance.
Valérie also told us something new: now in 2021 the cooperative has become 100% sustainable, despite having been using the practices for many years. This is a major trend in Champagne and in the world, which aims to minimize polluting effects and maintain the region's fauna and flora. The cooperative produces Magnum bottles of some of its champagnes, but in addition it has a collection of only vintage Magnums from exceptional years. In Brazil, we can find Mailly champagne with Importer Franco Suiça (www.francosuissa.com.br). More details about the production and visitation of this cooperative, in our 'Producer Sheet'.
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