Fascinating Grower Champagne 2/6

Champagne can be easily separated into two categories: “Maison” (NM, or Négociant-Manipulant) and “Grower” (RM, or Récoltant-Manipulant) Champagnes. You can determine which you’re drinking by reading the fine print on the bottom of the front label. Today, Champagne is now home to around 16,000 ‘Growers’ (of which 5,000 make their own champagnes) and 320 ‘Big Houses’. The vineyard is predominantly planted to the black Pinot Noir and Meunier and the white Chardonnay.