A difficult start to the year in Champagne too, between frost and Covid. Yet optimism reigns at Huiban, with the arrival of HVE certification and the planting of new vineyards.
The year got off to a decidedly difficult start for the French Maisons, still grappling with Covid bringing the Horeca sector to a standstill and with the spring frosts that struck the vineyards in early April. Even so, giving in to pessimism is never an option, and in Champagne too there are those who are doubling down and investing in the future.
Today we tell the story of La Maison Huiban, owner of the Champagne Auguste Huiban and Champagne Paul Augustine brands, which is celebrating a new milestone in environmental sustainability as well as the planting of a new Pinot Noir vineyard.
The whole Huiban family among the estate's own vineyards
Maison Huiban: new HVE certification for its green commitment
A journey that began more than 15 years ago, unhurried and with a strong practical sense, towards a sustainable approach that would go beyond a mere label: the goal has always been an all-round commitment. Only after streamlining all its operations did the Maison embark on the process of obtaining HVE certification, officially confirmed on 13 April 2021. HVE stands for Haute Valeur Environnementale: a French certification that sits at the top of a scale made up of three levels of increasing commitment. HVE certification is based on the close observation and measurement of a range of indicators, and covers 4 different areas: commitment to preserving biodiversity, the use of appropriate plant-protection strategies, careful management of irrigation and, more generally, of the use of water resources within the Maison.
From the next labelling runs of La Maison Huiban bottles onwards, this commitment will therefore be displayed by means of the dedicated HVE logo.
The HVE certification logo, now on all new Huiban labels
A new vineyard, looking to the future with optimism
In viticulture, planting a vineyard means investing in the future with optimism and foresight. In Champagne, too, the rules governing new plantings are naturally very strict and rigorous, and the new vines cannot produce appellation wines until at least 3 years have passed – although producers often choose to wait even longer.
Despite the unfavourable weather conditions in early April, La Maison Huiban firmly believed in its project and has now completed a new planting of Pinot Noir on the gentle hills of the commune of Jonquery.
In this part of the Vallée de la Marne, well to the west of the great Montagne de Reims, the estate reports that it suffered no major damage: despite the cold, the vines lost no buds or shoots. The weather therefore spared the new plantings, which are getting ready to begin the new growing season, bringing a breath of life and positivity to Maison Huiban.
New Champagne Pinot Noir vineyard planting for Maison Huiban
Wine Terroir Srls is the exclusive importer and official Italian distributor for the wines of La Maison Huiban - Champagne Auguste Huiban - Champagne Paul Augustine.
For further information, write to us at info@wineterroir.it
