Philipponnat for its Clos des Goisses has become the latest Champagne vineyard to announce it will launch a vintage from the 2003 harvest.

The 2003 crop is famed for its ripeness, but proprietor Charles Philipponnat told the Drinks Business that he has no concerns over this.

He explained: "Some of the great vintages of the past were extremely ripe and there is a misconception that wines only age well if there is high acidity.

"But if the wine is aromatically balanced already then it does not need to be very acid to age."

However, the Champagne estate has also taken the decision to release a 2001, when this year is only really remembered for a damp September and the onset of rot that halved production.

Mr Philipponnat maintains that the wine is still of high quality, but it may be held back until the reputation of 2001 improves.

Champagne GH Mumm recently launched its new vintage, the Cuvee R Lalou 1999, at a terroir-themed lunch at The Ritz in London.