Grower Champagne is a type of Champagne crafted by small, independent producers who grow their own grapes and make their own Champagne. Typically, these producers, known as “growers,” are small, family-owned operations with a keen focus on quality.
This is in clear contrast to the large Champagne houses that purchase grapes in large quantities from a wide variety of different vineyard locations. The purchased grapes are brought to a central location for fermentation and then carefully blended into the producer’s “house style.”
A grower Champagne is often considered more authentic and of higher quality than Champagne produced at large Champagne houses since the grower can exert more control over the entire production from vineyard to bottle. Large Champagne houses strive for strict consistency; however, growers embrace the yearly changes in weather and microclimate, giving their wines a unique character from vintage to vintage.
It’s easy to identify a grower Champagne; check the label for the following clues:
- Look for “Récoltant-Manipulant” or “RM” on the label. This indicates that the Champagne is produced by a grower who harvests and processes their grapes.
- Check for the name of the village or region where the Champagne is produced. Grower champagnes are often found in smaller villages or regions rather than in the more well-known champagne-producing areas like Épernay or Reims.
- Look for small production numbers on the label. Grower champagnes are most often produced in smaller quantities compared to mass-produced champagnes.
- Check for the vintage year on the label. Many grower champagnes are vintage, meaning they are made from grapes harvested in a single year.
- Look for the phrase “Grand Cru” or “Premier Cru” on the label. These terms indicate that the grapes used to produce the Champagne are from a high-quality vineyard classification.
If the bottle was produced at one of the large Champagne houses, you’ll find “NM” or “Négociant-Manipulant” on the label. This designation refers to a wine producer who does not grow their own grapes. Instead, NM producers purchase grapes from other regional growers to make their Champagne. NM champagne is typically produced in larger quantities than RM champagne.
In both RM and NM, the term “manipulant” refers to the producer’s involvement in making the Champagne rather than simply selling grapes or bottled Champagne produced by someone else.
AWM 2018 Buying Trip to Champagne
Why should you consider a grower Champagne for your next bottle of bubbly?
- Quality: Because Grower Champagne is made from grapes grown in a specific set of vineyards, the producer has more control over the quality of the grapes and the final product. This can result in a higher quality Champagne overall.
- Terroir: Grower Champagne is often made from grapes grown in a specific region or terroir, which can give the Champagne a unique flavor and character. This can be particularly appealing if you’re interested in trying different styles of Champagne.
- Sustainability: Many Grower Champagne producers are small, family-owned operations prioritizing sustainability in their grape-growing and Champagne-making practices.
- Support for small businesses: By supporting small, independent producers, you can help to support the local-global economy and small businesses.
- It’s worth noting that not all Grower Champagne is necessarily of higher quality than non-grower Champagne and that both types of Champagne can be excellent. However, Grower Champagne can be a great option if you’re interested in trying something different or supporting small, independent producers.
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