Despite weather events that meant a tricky harvest last year, Champagne's growers and winemakers gathered last week to give thanks for what turned into a vintage crop.

The Champenois have traditionally rung in the new year through the St Vincent celebrations. St Vincent of Saragossa has been the patron saint of wine guilds in Champagne and Burgundy since the 13th Century. Historically the guilds are village based, and originally their main purpose consisted in providing a system of social security to the member winegrowers. Even if the role of social assistance has long been taken over by the French state, winegrowers continue to celebrate St Vincent at the beginning of the year.