Big headlines is a given when a giant like Moët-Hennessy announces that all of their vineyards in Champagne from 2020 will be managed without herbicides (weed-killers). The announcement was made at Vinexpo, which took place in Paris on February 10-12.
In addition, their vineyards in Cognac, a region that has not yet distinguished itself for its environmental commitment, are supposed to be herbicide-free as from 2021.
Moët Hennessy owns the champagne houses Moët & Chandon, Veuve Clicquot, Dom Pérignon, Ruinart, Krug and Mercier and produces about one quarter of all champagne. In Cognac, Hennessy accounts for 46% of sales.
It is of course true that these M-H houses also buy very large quantities of grapes and the commitment does not apply to the suppliers’ vineyards. But they promise to support their grape suppliers and help them become sustainably certified. Moët Hennessy will also invest 20 million euro in scientific research on sustainable viticulture.
Read more: prnewswire
