Champagne, a region in the north of France roughly twice the size of San Francisco, is the birthplace of a revered sparkling wine. The wine sold in this region is famously known as Champagne, which is synonymous with wealth, exclusivity, and luxury.
Sellers of champagne in the Champagne region sell around 300 million bottles a year, with the industry being over $5 billion. Moreover, no bottle of sparkling wine made outside of this unique region can be labeled or called Champagne.
But Marie-Ines Romelle is bringing a taste of the French Caribbean to the Champagne region. Marie, 42 years old, has come up with her own label, Marie Césaire. For her label, she is infusing the loved drink with the culture of her native Guadalupe. Marie stands as the first woman to join the executive world of Champagne producers.
Marie Césaire uses sugar cane, a crop commonly found in the Caribbean, as a special ingredient for her champagne. Traditionally, beet sugar is used in the Champagne-making process. But Marie chooses to add sugar cane extract to create flavors that will appeal to the African diaspora.
Aromas of rose and lychee in new Champagne
Marie-Ines Romelle was born in Guadalupe and later on left the Caribbean Island for France with her parents at three years old. While in Paris with her family, she grew up in the suburbs of the city. Living in a difficult environment because of poverty in Paris gave Romelle the drive to try to improve her situation.
Years later, Romelle developed a love for Champagne when she began a career in food retail. During the time, Romelle was only 18 and worked at a shop that specialized in selling French delicacies. At the restaurant, she got exposed to French culture and fell in love with Champagne, and understood its importance to France.
Romelle named her Champagne brand after her parents, and it carries specks of her Caribbean heritage. Additionally, the bottle carries the image of a hummingbird and the names Marie and Cesaire among the most popular in the French Caribbean.
Romelle’s rosé lines the taste buds with a bouquet of red fruit with aromas of lychee and rose. Her whites are very fresh and hold notes of ripe white fruit and exotic fruit extract. Moreover, her wines produce a contrast between freshness and sweet taste which delights the senses.
Source of inspiration
Marie-Ines Romelle aims to be a source of inspiration to anyone who wants to achieve their dreams using her Champagne. She wants to prove to people that no matter your background or where you come from, you can achieve. Using her achievement, she believes she will inspire others to focus on what they want, as they can do anything they put their minds to.
Romelle remains determined to bring in other minds to the business and not be the only woman of color in the Champagne world. She works hard to ensure doors of opportunity open to anyone who wants to work in the industry. The main reason she works hard is so that others can achieve as she has.
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