Grower Champagne

Grower Champagne generally refers to Champagne made by producers who grow their own grapes and make wine under their own label. Many are identified by the initials RM (Récoltant-Manipulant) on the bottle. Rather than aiming for the consistent style associated with a large Champagne house, growers can highlight the character of their own vineyards, villages and winemaking.

Grower Champagne is generally made by producers using grapes from vineyards they farm themselves, while larger Champagne houses often buy grapes from numerous growers across the region as well as using fruit from their own vineyards. Houses traditionally aim to maintain a recognisable style from year to year, whereas grower producers can place greater emphasis on individual vineyards, villages, vintages and their own approach to winemaking. Neither is inherently better, but Grower Champagne offers a particularly fascinating way to explore the diversity of the Champagne region.

RM stands for Récoltant-Manipulant, meaning a grower who makes and bottles Champagne from grapes grown in their own vineyards. It is one of the easiest ways to identify many Grower Champagnes, although the world of Champagne producers is more nuanced and not every bottle from a small independent producer will necessarily carry RM.

Grower Champagne can offer excellent value, particularly for drinkers interested in character and individuality. Without the scale, marketing and global distribution associated with the largest Champagne houses, smaller growers can offer distinctive wines from particular vineyards and villages at compelling prices. Price still varies enormously according to producer, vineyard, vintage and ageing, but exploring Grower Champagne can uncover exceptional bottles at many different price points.