GRAPE ESCAPES - CHAMPAGNE HOUSES

When did Champagne Houses begin, and what role do they play today?

Champagne wine was originally still wine. In 1584, the House of wine producer Gosset was founded. Gosset is now a sparkling Champagne wine so in theory this is the oldest House still around today.

Sparkling Champagne was not really 'made' in France until 1700. It quickly grew in popularity, and it was Champagne Ruinart, founded in 1729 that was the first 'sparkling wine Champagne House' in existence.

Three other well known brands opened in the 18th Century - Taittinger in 1734, Moet et Chandon in 1743 then Veuve Clicquot in 1772. Veuve Clicquot produced the first 'pink Champagne' and invented 'riddling' to ensure that the Champagne had no sediment left in it.

Today there are over 15,000 wine growers in the Champagne region in over 300 villages. There are over 300 Champagne Houses, managing over 32,000 hectares of vineyards, employing over 10,000 people, selling 300 million bottles a year and keeping around 1 billion bottles in their cellars. Roughly 200 million of the bottles sold each year are produced by just 23 Champagne Houses, collectively known as the Club des Grandes Marques. These Champagne Houses are Ayala, Billecart-Salmon, Bollinger, Canard-Duchenne, Deutz and Geldermann, Heidsieck & Co, Henriot, Krug, Lanson, Laurent-Perrier, Moet et Chandon, GH Mumm, Perrier-Jouet, Joseph Perrier, Piper Heidsieck, Pol Roger, Pommery, Prieur, Louis Roederer, Ruinart, Salon, Taittinger, and Veuve Clicquot.