Champagne is an appellation d’origine contrôlée sparkling wine produced exclusively in the Champagne region, in compliance with certain specifications. Champagne labels have many specific features, and differ greatly from those of still wines.

The anatomy of a Champagne label

Firstly, the Champagne label must contain the Champagne appellation in clearly visible characters. It also includes the brand name (domain), the name or region of the producer, the name of the commune where the head office is located (and the place of production if different), and the word France.

Then there’s the alcoholic strength by volume, the nominal volume of the bottle, information on the vintage (if the champagne is vintage) and the particularity of the cuvée (blanc de blancs, rosé, blanc de noirs, etc.). The label can also provide information on grape varieties, disgorgement date, tasting notes and recommended pairings.

Finally, the label on a bottle of champagne bears the professional registration number issued by the Comité de Champagne, as well as the initials indicating the professional category of the winemaker*. Batch identification (potentially written directly on the bottle), allergen information and a warning about the danger of alcohol are also to be found on the label of a bottle of champagne.

* The producer can have different origins:

• RM: harvester-handler. Champagne is made by the winemaker from his own vines.
• RC: récoltant-coopérateur. Champagne is harvested on the estate and vinified in a cooperative.
• NM: négociant-manipulant. The winegrower buys some (or all) of his grapes from winegrowers for vinification.
• MA: auxiliary mark. Often supermarket Champagnes, marketed under the name of a brand that didn’t produce it.
• ND: dealer-distributor. Similar to the auxiliary brand, the négociant affixes his name to the bottles.
• SR: harvesting company. Winegrowers join forces to vinify and market Champagne. They sometimes use the cooperative.
• CM: handling cooperative. The cuvées are developed and vinified by a cooperative.

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