What is Grower Champagne?

Grower-Producer champagne distinguishes itself from Grande Marque champagne - the big-name brands we all know from supermarket shelves and restaurant menus - by the fact that it is produced by the same people who tend the vines to produce the grapes that go into making it. The Merchant Houses, which produce Grande Marque champagne, buy huge quantities of grapes from thousands of growers in order to create blended wines which taste consistent year after year. As the Grande Marque champagnes have such a dominant share of the global market, Grower-Producers find that most of their annual revenue comes from this trade in grapes, and they can only afford to set aside a relatively small proportion of their harvest for making their own champagne.

Grower-Producers are typically small-scale, family-run businesses that rely on passing trade during the holiday seasons and local hotels and restaurants for sales of their own champagne. Despite their small scale, they must still conform to rigorous quality standards as set out by their regulatory body CIVC (Comité Interprofessionnel du Vin de Champagne). At Real Champagne we have visited many of these small vineyards and we have always been impressed by the dilligence, professionalism and hospitality of the people we meet. We find their champagnes much more exciting, diverse and authentic than any of the big-name champagnes we have tried and that's why we want to bring them to the UK market.



What are the delivery options?

Delivery is available on the UK mainland. For delivery to UK islands, please contact us and we will try to accommodate your order. Orders received before noon will normally be despatched the same day if a working day or the next working day if not. Standard postal lead times are 3 working days, but may be longer for certain products. Where lead times are longer, this will be stated in the detailed product description. Prices for standard delivery are £4.49 for 1 bottle including gift sets, £5.99 for 2 bottles, £7.99 for 3-6 bottles and £9.99 for 2 or more cases.



Should I keep my champagne and if so, for how long?

All the champagne we offer is ready to drink at the time of purchase. All champagne which has already had its sediment removed in the disgorgement process will not benefit from extra maturing, although the general rule is that it can be kept for up to the same amount of time it had been ageing on the lees for the second fermentation in the bottle - typically around 2 years for a non-vintage and anything upwards of 3 years for a vintage.



Where should I keep my champagne?

All the champagnes we offer should be stored on its side in a cool area away from light. Preferably it should not be moved unneccessarily. It should be served slightly chilled but not ice cold.



Do you provide Tasting and Event services?

We are able to provide champagne and advice for social events. Please contact us to discuss requirements.



Do you sell to Trade?

We are happy to sell to other businesses and advise on the appropriate occasions and accompaniments for our champagnes. Please contact us to discuss requirements.