While the push for liberalization came from Brussels, it has ignited a passionate debate in Champagne. When the new EU regulation 2023/1606 was published in August 2023, making foil capsules optional for sparkling wines, some anticipated that a few Champagne producers might soon rethink their product presentation.
However, in December, the Syndicat Général des Vignerons de Champagne (SGV) decided that capsules should remain mandatory on Champagne bottles, considering them an integral part of the "inseparable identity of Champagne wines." To formalize this stance, the SGV, along with the Comité Interprofessionnel des Vins de Champagne (CIVC), officially requested on September 26 that capsule regulations be included in the official Champagne appellation guidelines.
In contrast, Ça décoiffe ("It’s a Knockout!"), a winemaker collective founded in April with around 30 members, came out in favor of capsule choice. By late October, their call for flexibility had gained the support of larger organizations, including the Association des Champagnes Biologiques, the Vignerons Indépendants de Champagne, and the Confédération Paysanne. In a joint statement, they advocated for flexibility and creative freedom in marketing, highlighting ecological and financial benefits and urging "all winemakers and Champagne houses interested in closure choice" to participate in the appeals process. SP
