Types of Champagne Producers

Question 1

What is the ‘matriculation number’?

Answer 1

Every bottle bears a series of digits, a code assigned to each producer by CIVC. A set of initials precedes the number, denoting the type of producer who made the wine.

Question 2

What is NM?

Answer 2

Négociant Manipulant - A house that purchases grapes and or base wines from growers and other small houses. Some NM houses own a significant portion of their own vineyards; others own none at all. Large Champagne houses with the most international presence are invariably in this category: Moët et Chandon, Krug, Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin, Billecart-Salmon, Lanson, Taittinger, Pol Roger, Perrier-Jouët, Mumm and Laurent Perrier. Quality varies widely, although prices are uniformly high.

Question 3

What is RM?

Answer 3

Récoltant Manipulant - A grower producer who makes Champagne from estate-grown fruit. 95% of the grapes must originate in the producer’s own vineyards.

Question 4

What is CM?

Answer 4

Coopérative Manipulant - A grower’s co-operative that produces the wine under a single brand.

Question 5

What is RC?

Answer 5

Récoltant Coopérateur - A grower whose grapes are vinified at a co-operative, but sells the wine under his own label.

Question 6

What is SR?

Answer 6

Société de Récoltants - A firm, not a co-operative, set up by a union of often related growers, who share resources to make their wines and collectively market several brands.

Question 7

What is ND?

Answer 7

Négociant Distributeur - A middleman company that distributes Champagne it did not make.

Question 8

What is MA?

Answer 8

Marque d’ Acheteur - A buyer’s own brand, often a large supermarket chain or restaurant, that purchases Champagne and sells it under its own label.