Champagne Terminology Part 2: What does ‘organic’, ‘biodynamic’ and ‘sustainable’ mean?

Champagne producers are increasingly using the terms ‘organic’, ‘biodynamic’ and ‘sustainable’ to describe their viticultural practices. On the bottles, you might see the associated certifications, which demonstrate the producer’s commitment to quality and terroir preservation.

Confused about what they mean? Let us demystify them for you!

🖊 Organic: Organic farming assists in achieving the interrelated goals of preserving terroir, building healthy soil and promoting biodiversity. Natural fertilisers and other management practices are used rather than pesticides, herbicides, fungicides etc. The most common certification labels are the Agriculture Biologique (AB) and the European Union’s 12-star leaf (the ‘Euro-leaf’).

🖊 Biodynamics: On top of organic practices, biodynamics can involve incorporating livestock (e.g., for vineyard management or producing fertiliser), using natural soil supplements, or undertaking work in the vineyard and cellar according to the astronomical calendar (particularly the lunar calendar). The other plants, insects and animals in the vineyard are also accounted for as part of the ecosystem. Demeter and Biodyvin are the largest certifiers.

🖊 Sustainable: A sustainable vineyard is one that can be used to meet current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to do the same. Sustainable practices manage inputs (anything added to the soil, water usage) and outputs (by-products, waste, effluents, carbon footprint), limit the use of chemicals, preserve biodiversity and protect the terroir—in essence, minimising pressures on the environment. The highest level of certification is the Haute Valeur Environnementale (HVE; ‘High Environmental Value’), though Terra Vitis and Viticulture Durable en Champagne (VDC) are two other available certifications.

In short, biodynamic and organic practices focus on what can and cannot be added to the vineyard, respectively, while sustainability looks at the vineyard over time and within the broader environment. All have the goal of protecting the terroir and, therefore, the unique character of the resulting wines.

To date, over 60% of Champagne’s vineyards have attained some form of environmental certification, and the Comité Interprofessionnel du vin de Champagne (Champagne’s joint trade association and governing body) is committed to getting that to 100% by 2030.

Santé! 🥂