CHAMPAGNE A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

Every 22nd April, people from around the world come together to advance sustainability and climate action in commemoration of Earth Day. As such, this month the Bureau du Champagne UK shares the ways in which Champagne growers and houses are heavily investing in sustainable practices to safeguard the region’s future with strict targets. In 2003, Champagne was the first wine region to assess its carbon footprint and today it is accelerating the implementation of its carbon plan alongside initiatives to support the sector towards net-zero carbon by 2050.

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Importantly, Champagne only comes from Champagne so, the preservation of this one-of-a-kind terroir is of primary importance. With a dual climate influence (a feature that is unique to Champagne and not found in any other French wine making regions), the vineyards are subject to both continental and oceanic influences. Oceanic influence produces the mild temperatures that are neither too hot nor too cold. The continental influence causes the sporadic freezing winter temperatures and rising summer temperatures that directly impact the subtle balance between acidity and sugar levels – this is pivotal in Champagne production. However, with global temperatures rising, the 16,200 growers, 130 cooperatives and 370 Champagne houses are having to collectively take action to prevent this delicate balance being put at risk.

What is being done to preserve this balance?

Ensuring the longevity of the Champagne region, a UNESCO World Heritage site, requires action. This action is already in full force and since 2003, Champagne has achieved significant progress with a reduction of carbon footprint by 20 percent per bottle, 100% treatment of wine effluents, the recycling of 90 percent of industrial waste; and the region is the leader of Europe’s wine regions in developing mating disruption - this is an environmentally friendly technique to help control insect pests contributing to the unique flora and fauna of the region.

The Sustainable Viticulture in Champagne (VDC) initiative, introduced in 2014, is the culmination of collective efforts which began more than two decades ago. The aim of the initiative is as follows: to better manage the use of additions to the soil, to protect and promote the terroir, biodiversity and vineyards and practise responsible management of water, effluents, by-products and waste in order to reduce the carbon footprint of the industry. As of 2022, 69 percent of vineyards in the appellation have secured environmental certification with 46 percent of cases holding the VDC certification - that is 23,600 hectares of land with the Sustainable Viticulture in Champagne certification.

The future of Champagne

In order to protect one of the oldest and most celebrated wine regions in the world whilst still preserving the quality of Champagne, there have been progressive targets put in place that encompass the region’s ecological footprint and the impact that the cultivation and harvesting of grapes has on climate change.

There has been a substantial amount of grape varietal research taking place to deal with the effects of climate change, as well as research going into new techniques to combat the various forms of decline in the vineyards: defining new soil maintenance protocols and implementing new oenological strategies to anticipate the effects of climate change while also meeting the requirements of the agroecological transition. Ultimately, this allows growers and houses to sustain the availability and quality of its wines despite the effects of climate change.

With continued commitment and collaboration, the Champagne region is looking towards a sparkling future and a deep-rooted sustainable outlook - with quality still at the forefront.

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