(TheDrinksBusiness) - Drappier has become the first Champagne house to ferment its wines in an egg-shaped oak container, despite losing 75% of its crop this year. Called the Ovum, the fermentor, inspired by Nomblot’s concrete egg, is made by Taransaud and costs around €30,000. According to Michel Drappier, winemaker at the family-owned house, the new fermenter will be used to produce a “Premium Grand Sendrée”, referring to the brand’s prestige cuvée, and the more upmarket version will be released in 2018. Commenting on his new purchase, Michel said, “The “egg” proportions represent the Golden Number and is considered to be the ultimate vessel to keep and mature wine.”