Champagne labels
The label
The labels of the Champagne are equivalent to ID cards,
which contain important information governed by strict regulations. For example, a label tells you which house the champagne comes from and what flavor it has.
Labels appeared in primitive form as early as the eighteenth century. Rarely were they more than glued-on scraps of paper containing scanty handwritten information.
Around 1820, the true étiquettes appeared, which gave rise to today's
labels already resembled each other. Shortly thereafter, a regular competition developed to reflect the reputation of the house as well as culture and art also in the label.
Although they still often display these beautiful qualities today, the labels of the champagnes have also mutated into guarded 'flags' of the houses, which are defended in the fight against imitations to protect consumers.
Label in detail:
This example is a label from the famous house of Mumm. This Mumm label comes from a bottle from the American market.
*The designation 'Champagne'. Without it, the contents are not real champagne!
*In a prominent position, the brand and/or the name of the
House listed. Certain colors are also defended by some houses. The Veuve Clicquot brand, for example, is easily recognized by its particular orange on the label.
On this label from Mumm, you can see both the G. H. Mumm name and the Cordon Rouge brand in the famous diagonal red band. This prominent red band was first introduced in 1876 as elegant silk loops around the bottles. In 1883, instead of the loops, the red ribbon was added to the labels. The red ribbon was symbolically derived from the French Légion d'honneur (Legion of Honor).
*The city as well as the country of origin France.
*The alcohol content (between 10.5% and 13%).
*The bottle volume.
The corresponding American liquid volume (US 1pint, 10 fluid ounces) was listed here. Converted, this bottle was therefore approximately a typical European 'normal bottle'.
*The control number of the CIVC as mandatory information, which starts with two letters and is followed by a multi-digit number. The letters are abbreviations and mean:
**N.M.
(négociant-manipulant)
Prepared by a champagne house.
** M.A.
(marque d'acheteur)
A secondary brand. This champagne was
from the champagne house as a special bottling or
Private label filling to, for example, a
Restaurant or an airline delivered.
** R.M
(récoltant-manipulant)
Prepared by a champagne winemaker from his own
Vines.
** R.C.
(récoltant-coopérateur)
Prepared by a champagne winemaker from his own
vines and the stock of a winegrowers' cooperative.
** C.M.
(coopérative de manipulation)
A winegrowers' cooperative drew for the
Filling responsible.
*Very important, moreover, is the labeling of the flavor:
Extra-Brut, Brut, Extra Dry, Sec, Demi-Sec
(see Dosage)
The neck label (or shoulder label) of a champagne bottle is called a cravate or collerette. It sometimes shows the name of the house, the house's crest or logo, the vintage of the champagne, the year the house was founded, or perhaps a note as the official supplier of a particular royal house. Some houses also omit the neck label.
In addition, champagne labels often contain additional information such as:
* Millésime
Champagnes, which are obtained from grapes of only one particular year, are called Champagne millésime designated (see also vintage champagne).
The vintage, such as 1990 on this label of a champagne from the house of Jacquesson, is generally listed in a prominent place. In addition, the vintage is noted on the cork (see also cork).
** Blanc de Blancs
To 100% obtained from Chardonnay grapes.
(See also Blanc de Blancs).
** Blanc de Noirs
Made to 100% from Pinot Noir and/or Pinot Meunier grapes.
(See also Blanc de Noirs).
** Reference to a Cru
A Grand Cru or Premier Cru indicates the most highly esteemed
sites of the Champagne region. There are 17 Grand Crus (e.g. Ambonnay, Avize, Aÿ, Bouzy, Cramant, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Tours-sur-Marne) and 41 Premier Crus (e.g. Chouilly, Hautvillers, Mareuil-sur-Aÿ; see also Cru).
** Artistic labels
The house Perrier-Jouët uses a transparent label harmoniously shaped by the dimensions in interaction with the famous framing flowers on the bottle (Fleur de Champagne).
At times, some champagne houses commemorate historical circumstances in very beautiful labels. In this example, it is a label from the prestigious champagne house Lecerc Briant (label can be enlarged by clicking).
In this example, the famous champagne house Deutz commemorates the legendary Orient Express in a fantastic label. No wonder there are many label collectors (label can be enlarged by clicking).
An experience also represent the artistic labels of the house Bruno Paillard:
Link to the labels of the house of Paillard
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