At Real Champagne we are the place to come for excellent artisan champagnes from award winning grower producers.
Many independent champagne houses started life growing grapes solely for resale to the big merchant houses. These houses would assimilate grapes from all over the Champagne region to meet the global demand placed on their champagnes, which include some of the most famous brands in the world like Moet & Chandon & Laurent Perrier.
After the Second World War, many of the independent houses realised that the grape prices, determined by the merchant houses, were falling and they were struggling to make ends meet. As margins were squeezed, many decided to start producing their own champagnes - and so the era of "récoltant-manipulant" champagnes began.
Today, these small-producers make much of their income from selling their own champagnes, using grapes from their own vines and saving the best juices for their own cuvées. With no heavy marketing budgets and obligations to fulfil, they are able to produce truly distinctive champagnes, which reflect the individual parcels of land from each house, but also the heritage of the family and its evolution through generations.
Our intention is not to disregard the "Grandes Marques", although we feel that the identity of some of their champagnes is lost because the grapes come from disparate areas. Rather, we aim to show the versatility and creativity of the smaller producers and how they are making their mark on the global stage, winning some of the top awards for their champagnes.
At Real Champagne, you will find a unique selection of Traditional, Rosé, Blanc de Blancs, Reserve and Vintage champagnes from the heart of the champagne region, many of which have never been available in the UK. We have a continually evolving range, uncovering the hidden gems from Champagne and enabling you to experience the real champagne region. We are sure that in tasting the delights of small-producer champagnes, you will find a new favourite.
We want to bring across our passion for what we regard to be Real Champagne, away from the bustling hubs of Epernay and Reims, down the long winding valleys to the small ancient villages nestled in amongst the vines. If we can give you a taste of the artistry, the dedication and pride that Champagne vineyard owners bring to their wine, we will have achieved our goal.
Below is some feedback from our clients who have already delved into the mysterious yet exciting world of Real Champagne:
"Many thanks for your excellent Customer Service...very impressed..." - Steve Hillel, Sandhurst
"You have really opened our eyes to the variety of champagnes available. In fact I fear I might have become a bit of a champagne snob and am slightly disdainful when offered one of the famous names found in supermarkets. They seem a bit bland now" - Fran Fitzgerald, Salisbury
"I just wanted to let you know that the champagne arrived...I will definitely be ordering from you again" - Alan Spencer, St Ives
"I must say a 'Big thank You' to you and your company for all your help, advice, communication and follow-up service that I have received. It is such a pleasure to deal with a company of your calibre and level of professionalism and dedication and which is prepared to go that 'extra mile' for the customer". - Lindsay Armstrong