5 reasons why Champagne is an eco-friendly wedding choice

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Francoise Peretti, Director of the UK's Champagne Bureau shares some surprising insight into why couples should consider champagne if they're looking for an eco-friendly option and facts about the Champagne region, the world's leading wine region in sustainable initiatives...

When one thinks of Champagne, 'sustainability' may not be the first word to come to mind. With its reputation as being the pinnacle of luxury and its historical association with glamour – you'd be forgiven for not knowing about Champagne's squeaky clean resume, and the progressive and innovative initiatives that take place behind the scenes during its production. There can be no doubt that recent months have given us the time to reflect on the impact of our behaviours on the environment and now more than ever, I suspect couples will be looking for sustainable options to spoil their guests with on the big day. In fact, a recent study by Capgemini shows that 65% of consumers say they will be more mindful about the impact of their overall consumption in the "new normal", post lockdown. So if you're currently thinking about your wine list and looking to make eco-friendly choices for your wedding (but don't want to compromise on quality or glamour!), here are five reasons why you should make champagne your tipple of choice.

4. Today, 90 % of Champagne's industrial waste is sorted and processed for reuse, aiming for 100 per cent recovery in the near future. Recycling is imperative to the future of our planet and Champagne is striving towards being a circular economy where nothing is wasted. There is 120,000 tonnes of vine wood produced per year from pruning and other activities – 80% of this is ground up and used to enrich the soil as a natural fertilizer.

5. Champagne is inventing hybrid grapes - the varieties of the future – as they prepare for climate change. Over the past 30 years, the temperature in Champagne has risen by 1.1 degree centigrade – causing grapes to ripen earlier, be more alcoholic and lose acidity (that's the 'freshness' in champagne). In order to protect the taste of our wine, they are breeding new types of grapes by crossing varieties, to ensure Champagne still retains its iconic taste and qualities. This means that in 20 years' time when you are celebrating your anniversary, you'll still be able to get a bottle that tastes the same as it did on your wedding day.