In the future, champagne producers will be able to decide whether to top their champagne bottles with foil or not. While technically possible in the EU for the last two years, now the Comité for Champagne has also given its approval.
The iconic foil covers on the top of Champagne bottles may soon be a thing of the past. While an amended EU regulation has made it possible to sell champagne bottles without foil since 2023, the Comité Interprofessionnel des Vins de Champagne (CIVC) campaigned for the characteristic neck covering to remain mandatory in the Champagne designation guidelines. After two years of resistance, however, the industry association has finally given in: It was concluded that removing the foil would not affect sales or the image of champagne.
The initiative "Ça décoiffe en Champagne" in particular campaigned to give champagne houses and producers a choice, arguing that the environmental footprint could be reduced by eliminating the foil tops containing aluminum and plastics, while also cutting costs.
In addition, a study by the "Syndicat Général des Vignerons de Champagne"(SGV) also found that although many consumers prefer the look of champagne bottles with foil, the lack thereof would not drive them to buy another type of sparkling wine – and even if it did, they would simply choose another champagne with a foil cap.
