Organic Champagne: where does the industry stand?
In 2009, lrganic viticulture accounted for just 1% of Champagne vineyards, compared with almost 10% today! Organic viticulture in Champagne is on the rise, particularly in recent years, with initiatives in the sector booming.
- Since 1998, the Association des Champagnes Biologiques has brought together producers committed to converting their production to organic. To date, it has nearly 200 members, both winegrowers and wineries.
- Since 2019, the Chambers of Agriculture of the Champagne vineyards have joined forces with Bio en Grand Est for the "Structuring of the organic Champagne sector". In this survey carried out in 2024, we can note in particular that the number of producers committed to organic certification has tripled in 4 years (650 in 2023 compared with 200 in 2018).
- In addition, a number of Grandes Maisons are also committed to biodiversity, such as Louis Roederer or Ruinart.
The many risks associated with organic champagne production (phylloxera, powdery mildew, mildew, etc.) represent a major constraint, but the industry is making steady progress year after year to reach a sufficient harvest level.
Our top 5 organic champagne houses
Looking for the best organic champagnes? Depending on your desires, you can turn to houses that are entirely dedicated to organic champagne.
De Sousa Champagne House
Based in Avize, the Maison de Champagne De Sousa is a leading name in organic and biodynamic champagne. Converted in 1999 and certified organic in 2010, it works its vines according to biodynamic principles, with horse-drawn ploughing, low dosage and natural vinification.
The Fleury Champagne House
La House of Champagne Fleury was the first in Champagne to convert to biodynamic viticulture in 1989. It offers cuvées of great finesse, a faithful reflection of a respected, living terroir.
The House of Leclerc Briant
La Maison Leclerc Briant was founded in Cumiant in 1872. This Champagne House boasts a 10-hectare estate, essentially Premier Cru. Certified organic and biodynamic, it has also been practicing plot selection since the 1980s.
Maison Larmandier Bernier
Located in Vertus, the Maison Larmandier-Bernier produces terroir champagnes with artisanal rigor. Organic since the 2000s, its cuvées are often vinified in barrels and without dosage, highlighting the raw expression of Chardonnay.
The House of Benoît Lahaye
Independent winemaker in Bouzy, Benoît Lahaye has been cultivating his vines organically and biodynamically for over 15 years. He works his champagnes with great respect for the living world, producing sincere, powerful and expressive wines.
Our top 5 organic cuvées from Grandes Maisons
Would you like to introduce fans of the most prestigious houses to organic champagne? Would you like to try organic without abandoning your favorite Grandes Maisons? Numerous Champagne Houses offer a number of organic cuvées to seduce connoisseurs.
- The cuvée P181 Canard Duchêne is the first organic champagne produced by a Grande Maison. This extra-brut organic champagne comes from an ECOCERT-certified organic vineyard. Made from 43% Chardonnay, 33% Pinot Meunier and 24% Pinot Noir, this extra-brut champagne is perfect as an aperitif or to accompany scallops or scampi carpaccio.
- The cuvée Audace Extra-Brut 2014 Chassenay d'Arce is a 100% Pinot Noir from the 2014 harvest. Cuvée Audace is both fresh and complex, a perfect accompaniment to aperitifs, white meats and noble fish.
- The Champagne Duval-Leroy brut bio is a classic for lovers of brut bio champagne. This refined champagne embodies the House's savoir-faire.
- The champagne Green Bio Organic Lanson is a unique, single-cru and single-parcel cuvée to discover all the essence of a terroir and a grape variety.
- The Blanc de Quatre Blancs Quattuor Drappier is to date the only organic Champagne Blanc de Blancs made from four different whites: Arbane, Petit Meslier, Pinot Blanc and Chardonnay. This rare extra-brut champagne will appeal to lovers of finesse, with notes of citrus fruit, honeyed apple and green tea. Ranked among the 10 best organic wines and best Champagne by "The Drinks Business".
Of course, there are many more organic champagnes to discover, such as Champagne Le Triple Besserat de Bellefon or the Blanc de Blancs organic champagne from Maison de Champagne de Saint Gal.
Much more than just a fad, organic champagne has a bright future ahead of it, even if the sector still needs to be developed and strengthened. Organic champagnes not only offer a more environmentally-friendly alternative, they are also high quality and proud representatives of the Champagne appellation.
