Champagne growers vote to halt denomination boundary revision

The Syndicat général des vignerons de la Champagne (SGV), the primary body representing Champagne winegrowers, has voted to stop a long-running project to revise the geographic boundaries of the Champagne AOC. The decision was reached by the SGV board of directors in Épernay, with 78.85% of members supporting the halt of the process.

The revision procedure, which had been underway since 2003 and overseen by the Institut national de l’origine et de la qualité (INAO), aimed to redefine the denomination by potentially adding or removing municipalities based on geographic, geological, and climatic criteria. The project was expected to conclude by the end of 2026.

The SGV cited changing climatic conditions as a primary reason for the reversal. Data indicates that average temperatures in the region have risen by approximately one degree compared to the 1996–2005 period, alongside significant increases in the Huglin index, which measures heat availability for vines. These shifts affect grape maturation and the suitability of certain territories for Champagne production. The union argues that the criteria established at the start of the process are no longer relevant under current environmental realities.