Author Archives: Caroline

About Caroline

Caroline is a certified Sommelier (by the CMS) and WSET diploma student. In order to specialize in the wines of Champagne she moved to the region and currently works as a wine consultant, wine educator and wine writer. She is a member of the Circle of Wine Writers and writes for several international publications including Palate Press, Snooth, Wine-Searcher, Decanter and Vinogusto; further activities include teaching Champagne related courses at Reims Management School and organizing personalized tasting experiences at http://www.tastingswithatwist.wordpress.com as well as being a regular judge at international wine competitions.

Acceptance Speech ACB Personality of 2023

On Sunday, 16 April, the Association des Champagne Biologiques named me their “Personality of 2023”. This Bulle Bio en Champagne prize is very special to me, because just as the Terres et Vins prize I received 5 years ago, one … Continue reading

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The ABC on Champagne’s appellation setting

Champagne has long set its appellation based on sales forecasts. While it seems this system works well to meet market needs, it is deeply flawed. The Covid-19 crisis clearly shows the limitations of the current system and the reasons why an appellation compromise between houses and growers has yet to be found even if harvest has already started Continue reading

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Champagne Harvest 2018: Marie-Noelle Ledru and Jean-Baptiste Geoffroy

Harvest started early in 2018, officially opening on August 20th, yet the official dates showed big differences, with some villages only opening early September. Derogations are possible and even if a few people began picking earlier, so far  the harvest has … Continue reading

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Sans prétension ou avec glaçons: different takes on champagne’s desacralization

For the last fortnight, Facebook has been alight with everyone and anyone in the champagne world (yours truly included) voicing their opinion on the new communication campaign of the Syndicat des Vignerons de Champagne (SGV). A few months ago, the … Continue reading

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My first impressions of the 2017 Champagne Harvest

On August 26th the CIVC published the official starting dates for the 2017 harvest, and decided that a minimum potential alcohol percentage of 9.5% was required. Since then the region has suffered several severe downpours and even a few hail … Continue reading

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Rest in Peace Charles Doyard

The moon had only just began to wane and still looked full over the Mediterranean sea, and the night was balmy and star lit. We were eating a pizza paired with champagne in the sheltered garden of our cute B … Continue reading

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Kindness = Keys to the World

Today is world kindness day and God knows we really can do with more kindness in our world… What a year it has been. This time last year, almost at the exact time I am writing this, hundreds of people … Continue reading

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Kick off of the 2016 Champagne Harvest in Cumières

It is hard to believe harvest is upon us once again. This year marks my fifth Champagne harvest, five years living in the same place really is something of a personal victory! Especially when you consider that I stil am … Continue reading

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The Bioenergetic movement in Champagne

Last week I was in London helping Marc Augustin to introduce his bioenergetic Champagnes into the UK market. In order to gather a bit of interest for his wines we had invited a handful of writers and Champagne aficionados to … Continue reading

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No I am not at war…. I continue to have a dream!

Two nights ago 129 people, most of them youngsters, were mowed down in the horrendous terrorists attacks in Paris. Whilst all the drama was going on, I was blissfully unaware. I had lost the internet earlier that day, and I … Continue reading

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