Your Essential 2025 Grower Champagne Buying Guide
Trends, Producers & Must-Try Bottles...
1. The Growth of Growers
Over the past decade, interest in Grower Champagne – that is, Champagne grown, harvested, vinified and bottled by the same vignerons or estate – has skyrocketed. These niche producers (“RM,” or Récoltant-Manipulant) are challenging the dominance of big-name houses by steering away from the classic uniform style of Champagne and instead offering expressive, terroir-driven wines, with each cuvée reflecting a specific vineyard’s soil, micro-climate, as well the winemaker’s personal touch. As we enter 2025, new vintages and evolving techniques make grower Champagne one of the most exciting categories for connoisseurs and newcomers alike.
2. 2025 Vintage & Trends: What’s Shaping the Market?
Climate & Harvest Changes
Erratic weather patterns in 2024 including rain, hail, frost and mildew created challenges across the region and, whilst we are yet to see what lays in store for the 2025 growing season, the marked trend over many decades is warmer summers. This leads to riper fruit, altering the acidity-sugar balance that Champagne is so renowned for. As such, we see producers adapting their approach to preserve freshness.
Focus on Low Dosage & Brut Nature
When there is ample natural sugar in the grapes, an obvious step is to reduce any additional sugar or 'dosage' that is added before bottling the wine. The general shift in mentality among consumers towards consuming less sugar and the desire for purer expressions of Champagne, that highlight a vineyard's character has also aligned with this trend. Consequently, Extra Brut or Brut Nature styles are proving even more popular.
Cépages Oubliés
Whilst Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Meunier account for 99% of all plantings in the region, there has been a return to planting and using the four so called 'forgotten grapes' – Fromenteau (more commonly known as Pinot Gris), Petit Meslier, Arbanne and Pinot Blanc. One of the reasons these grapes fell out of favour was their slow-ripening and naturally high acidity. However, these qualities are now proving to be desirable in an ever-warmer environment. You can read all about their history in our blog on this very topic.
Small-Batch Experimentation
Many families are now experimenting with barrel fermentation, longer lees aging, or new blending approaches to stand out in a crowded market. This leads to more interesting and original expressions of Champagne.
The Return of Coteaux Champenois
As the weather warms, there is increasing potential to make quality still white and red wines and we are seeing more and more vignerons releasing still wine, and consumers keen to sample these fresh and unique styles.
3. Producer Spotlights: Artisans to try from each sub-region
Producer #1: Champagne Bonnaire
Village & Region: Cramant, Côte des Blancs
Style: Classic chalk terroir and typically steel vinification brings out the renowned crisp, mineral qualities of the Chardonnay grape. With age, their cuvées develop wonderfully rich, toffee'd and buttery notes.
Must-Try Cuvée: Bonnaire Cramant 2016 – Superb value example of Grand Cru Chardonnay with a touch of age. Drinks well now but will also cellar wonderfully.
Producer #2: Famille Delouvin
Village & Region: Vandières, Vallée de la Marne
Style: The Marne Valley is a hotbed for new talent with a range of different soils, expositions and micro-climates that allow for a huge range of expressions. Meunier is the dominant grape variety here, but excellent Chardonnay and Pinot Noir can also be found.
Must-Try Cuvée: Famille Delouvin Fauve – A fabulous blend of Chardonnay and Meunier, that captures both fresh elements, juicy fruit and richer secondary notes.
Producer #3: Herbert & Co.
Village & Region: Rilly-la-Montagne, Montagne de Reims
Style: The heart of Pinot Noir country. This crescent of vineyards that rings the forest in the north of the region captures both the power and finesse that singles out exceptional Champagne Blanc de Noirs.
Must-Try Cuvée: Herbert & Co. 1000% Pinot Noir – An immensely concentrated cuvée from a new and exciting winemaker, which displays a rich and toasty lateral depth.
Producer #4: Julien Prelat
Village & Region: Celles sur Ource, Côte des Bar
Style: The most southerly part of the appellation, the Aube and Côte des Bar are typified by a warmer climate that produces a fruitier, fleshier style of Pinot Noir. Whilst this is the predominately planted grape, there is also excellent Chardonnay here too as a result of a soil that is typically Kimmeridgian clay – similar in character to nearby Chablis.
Must-Try Cuvée: Julien Prelat Presle – A great example of the different style of Chardonnay that can be created in this southerly region.
4. How to Choose & Store Grower Champagne
Choosing the Right Style: If you lean toward zesty, citrus-forward profiles, look for Blanc de Blancs, whilst those who favour darker fruit flavours, should try Meunier or Pinot Noir dominant styles. For a richer mouthfeel and secondary notes of toast and butter, try a vintage or oak-aged cuvée.
Storage Tips:
- Temperature: Ideally 10–15°C (50–59°F), lying down, away from direct light or strong vibrations.
- Humidity: Keep moderate humidity to prevent cork shrinkage.
- Serving: Chill your bottle to around 8–10°C (46–50°F) before pouring and serve in a wine glass with a reasonable sized bowl, which will allow the Champagne to open and deliver more aromas than a narrow flute can.
5. Continue your journey...
Grower Champagnes are the beating heart of the region: small estates, family traditions, and a taste of vineyard-specific terroir in every sip. As 2025 unfolds, keep an eye out for new experimental releases. You can keep updated with everything that's new by signing up to our newsletter, whilst a Monthly Champagne Subscription is the best way to keep learning and sampling the best of this incredible appellation.