Union Champagne is a cooperative formed by 15 smaller cooperatives in 1966. It produces luxury champagne under the brand De Saint-Gall, including the high-end cuvée Orpale. The name Orpale comes from the pale gold color of the champagne, and it is made primarily from chardonnay grapes grown in the Côte des Blancs region, which includes several prestigious vineyards known as grand crus, such as Oger, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Cramant, and Avize. Around 70% of the grapes used by Union Champagne come from the Côte des Blancs, while 88% of its first and grand crus are sourced from the Côte des Blancs, Montagne de Reims, and the valley of the Marne. The cooperative has a total vineyard area of 1420 hectares, managed by its 2300 members. Although De Saint-Gall is one of the major producers in the Champagne region, it is not widely known to the general public. Last year, only 520,000 bottles were sold, as most of the cooperative's production is exported and sold to major merchant houses. Only about 10% of the champagne produced is used for De Saint-Gall and other distributor brands, totaling around 1.2 million bottles annually. The remaining 900 hectares of grapes are bottled and sold under the names of the cooperative's members. The Orpale cuvée was first released in 1980 and is made from the highest quality grape juice, or must, sourced from the grand crus of the Côte des Blancs. These musts are aged for at least 10 to 12 years on the lees, the sediment left after fermentation, and the final riddling—removing the sediment—is done by hand. Partial malolactic fermentation is used to preserve the champagne's energy and balance across different vintages. Orpale is always produced in a brut style, with a dosage—sweetening agent—ranging from 0 g to 7 g, depending on market demand, particularly in the United States. Each batch of Orpale is produced in quantities between 80,000 and 100,000 bottles, and the wine is typically sold over a period of about three years. Approximately 25,000 bottles are sold annually, with half coming from the current vintage and half from the wine library, which stores older vintages. Bottles from earlier years, such as 1998 and 2002, are available at prices slightly higher than current market rates, offering enthusiasts a chance to purchase high-quality champagnes at relatively reasonable prices. A recent tasting of vintages from 1998 to 2015 showed the cuvée's consistency, with a saline freshness and subtle development over time. The 2015 vintage is set to be released later this year, replacing the current 2012 vintage.