Going topless: Champagne can now be sold without the foil cap

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.