Inside Champagne with Peter Liem: Dosage, Terroir, Climate, and La Fête du Champagne

Renowned Champagne expert Peter Liem returns to the Vint Wine Podcast for a deep dive into the evolution of Champagne, its changing climate, the role of dosage and lees aging, and what defines true quality today. Peter shares decades of insight from living and tasting in Champagne, exploring how styles, vintages, and viticulture have evolved in real time. Along the way, he also offers a glimpse into La Fête du Champagne 2025, the US-based celebration of the world’s finest Champagne producers. Episode HighlightsWhat makes La Fête du Champagne unique: invitation-only lineup curated across top houses and growers, plus seminars, focused lunches/dinners, and a grand tastingDosage decoded: how great wines are properly dosed (like seasoning), not under- or over-dosed2018 as inflection point: ripeness, acidity, and lees time in a warming climate; why some wines may need shorter sur-lie but still benefit from post-disgorgement agingRecent vintages: strengths of 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2019; how consistency has improved and “bad vintages” are rarerAged picks: why 2002 (well-stored), 2004, and 2008 still thrill; storage mattersLa Fete"s Education + conviviality: how tastings, verticals, and producer-led sessions raise the conversation beyond “Champagne 101”The point isn’t grower vs. house, it"s quality and terroir expression Resources & Links Peter’s site: www.champagneguide.net/ La Fête du Champagne: lafeteduchampagne.com Chicago: October 17–18 New York City: October 22–25 Los Angeles: November 13–15 Timestamps 00:00 Welcome to the Vint Wine Podcast 00:23 Introducing Champagne Expert Peter Liem 00:49 Peter’s Background and Work in Champagne 01:19 La Fête du Champagne Overview and Concept 02:23 Upcoming 2025 Events in Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles 04:08 How Champagne Has Evolved Over the Past Two Decades 09:41 Understanding Dosage and Balance in Champagne 16:41 The Origins and Growth of La Fête du Champagne 22:42 How La Fête Celebrates Both Houses and Growers 23:16 Expanding to New York and Los Angeles in 2025 24:31 Highlights and Tastings at the New York Event 25:38 Key Producers and Dinners at the Los Angeles Edition 26:31 Educational Seminars and “Soil to Sip” Workshops 28:14 Rising Curiosity and Knowledge Among Champagne Drinkers 33:25 How Climate Change Is Reshaping Champagne’s Style 41:55 Recent and Aged Vintages to Seek Out Now Follow & Support If you enjoyed this episode, please follow/subscribe, rate, and share with your Champagne-loving friends. The Vint Wine Podcast is hosted and produced by Billy Galanko. For more content follow Billy on Instagram @BillyGalanko_wine_nerd and for partnerships and collaborations please email billy@sommeliermedia.com. Cheers!