What is Grower Champagne?
Grower Champagne is produced by individuals or families who cultivate their own grapes and oversee the entire winemaking process. Out of more than 16,200 growers in Champagne, fewer than 5,000 produce their own Champagne with grapes they cultivate on their own land. These small, family-run businesses craft wines in limited quantities, often employing methods passed down through generations. Their approach emphasises the unique characteristics of their specific terroir, resulting in wines that are more intimate and expressive of their origin.
Key differences
Production Scale: Big houses operate on a large scale, producing vast quantities of Champagne, while grower-producers focus on small-batch production.
Grape Sourcing: Big houses source grapes from various vineyards, aiming for consistency, whereas grower Champagnes are made from grapes grown on the producer’s own land, highlighting specific terroirs.
Wine Style: Big houses blend wines to achieve a consistent flavour profile year after year. In contrast, grower Champagnes reflect the nuances of each vintage and vineyard, offering a more diverse tasting experience.
Availability: Big-house Champagnes are widely available globally, while grower Champagnes are less common and may require specialised retailers to purchase.
How to recognise a Grower Champagne?
To determine the type of Champagne producer, examine the two-letter code on the wine label:
RM (Récoltant-Manipulant): Indicates a grower-producer who makes Champagne from their own grapes.
Is Grower Champagne better than Big House Champagne?
Not necessarily better, just different. It depends on what you’re looking for. While Grower Champagne is certainly more artisanal, it’s not necessarily better than Maison Champagnes; this is a matter of personal preference, taste and occasion.
● Choose Big House Champagne if you value reliability, accessibility, and brand recognition.
● Choose Grower Champagne if you’re into artisanal production, terroir expression, and exploring diverse styles.
You can learn more about Champagne and other types of French sparkling wines at our wine tasting classes, like:
● Dégustation de vin : Tour de France
● Initiation à la dégustation de vins : Petit Tour de France
● Dégustation de vins fins : Tour de France Deluxe
Whether you’re just getting into wine or are a more advanced taster, you’re bound to find new and exciting wines alongside expertly delivered information in an informal and convivial environment.
(C) Carlo Pavia