For the love of terroir – Sophie Cossy about Champagne Cossy

In the heart of the famous Champagne region of France lies Champagne Cossy, a family business run by Sophie Cossy. Known for its exquisite premium champagnes, the company is characterised by a successful combination of traditional craftsmanship with modern know-how and feminine flair. Sophie Cossy attaches great importance to the quality of her products. The grape varieties she uses – Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier – give the champagnes a characteristic balance and depth. The company pays particular attention to sustainability and environmental protection, which is reflected in the careful cultivation of the vineyards and environmentally friendly wine production.

During an interview, we had the opportunity to talk to Sophie Cossy about the philosophy and products of Champagne Cossy and find out how she manages to harmonise tradition and modernity.

You have been running the company for around 10 years now. How do you manage to combine tradition and modernity?

Sophie Cossy: This challenge requires a balance between innovation and the preservation of tradition. Champagne is a strictly regulated sector with many rules that we have to respect. It took me some time to find the courage to develop my own identity and recognise the potential for modernity. My respect and love for the terroir have enabled me to believe in myself and dare to try new things.

Which of your ideas have you been able to realise in the meantime?

Sophie Cossy: I have experimented with new techniques in the vineyard to minimise our environmental impact. This will be a lifelong task. I have also introduced innovations in Champagne production itself, such as in dosage, storage and cuvée blending, in order to re-evaluate and better understand our wines.

How many products does the current portfolio include?

Sophie Cossy: We offer five different cuvées: Eclat, Rosé, Origine, Vieilles Vignes 2013 and Millésime Sophistiquée, with some also available in magnum bottles. I am also constantly developing new cuvées and ideas, such as L’Éphémère, L’Instant Blanc de Blancs and Patrem 2006.

What is special about the products? How do they differ from others?

Sophie Cossy: What makes our champagnes special is their unique terroir, which spans several villages: Jouy, Pargny, Ville Dommange, Courmas, Serzy and Arcis-le-Ponsart. My personal approach to winemaking and the desire to create my own style make our champagnes unique. I not only present champagne, but also a family history and a special style.

Our limited quantities reflect the rarity of our terroir. My personal story as a young woman who took over the management of the company at the age of 25 is also unique. Unfortunately, my father died very young and I had to quickly familiarise myself and learn my job. I made many mistakes and the challenge of surviving in a predominantly male-dominated industry was not easy, but it has helped shape the profile of our champagne. Every bottle of Champagne Cossy tells this story and represents real people and real work. I am really proud to lead this company.

How and with which products are you represented on the German market? How is the brand doing there?

Sophie Cossy: In Germany, all our cuvées are available through our partner Kirsch Import. We offer German customers the opportunity to discover our entire range and to choose for special moments. The choice is yours!

Kirsch Import is actually at home in the spirits industry. Why did you decide to enter into this partnership?

Sophie Cossy: I met Sebastian from Kirsch Import at the Prowein trade fair and he was enthusiastic about our champagne. Their strong presence in the German market and the decision to include champagne in their portfolio convinced me to embark on this adventure with them.

What are your plans – internationally and specifically for Germany?

Sophie Cossy: My goal is to continue to create opportunities to promote Champagne Cossy internationally and especially in Germany. There will be a new brand in 2024: Champagne Sophie Cossy. This will present another facet of our terroir with oak wine variants. Germany is an open-minded market for Champagne and I look forward to continuing this adventure and showcasing the uniqueness of my terroir.

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+++ We would like to thank Sophie Cossy for the open and very interesting interview! If you also have an interesting brand, then we should talk. Just send us an e-mail with the subject “about-drinks interview” to redaktion@about-drinks.com – we look forward to hearing from you! +++