A natural mutation of Chardonnay Blanc has been approved as the eighth permitted grape variety in Champagne (technically a ninth when considering Voltis, although said varietal is currently provisionally approved based on a 10 year evaluation period that will end in 2033). Planting the variety was illegal under Champagne appellation rules until recently, although it was privately maintained in some collections.

The grape officially joined the ranks of permitted varieties following the publication of the decree in the Journal officiel de la République française (JORF) on July 31, 2025, a decision that was formally ratified on August 5, 2025.

The grape will join the established list that include the three most widely planted varieties of Pinot Noir, Meunier, Chardonnay, as well as Arbane, Petit Meslier, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris (also known as Blanc Vrai and Fromenteau, respectively in Champagne).

The French National Institute for Agricultural Research (INRAE) added Pink Chardonnay to the national grapevine collection at the Domaine de Vassal in Marseillan-plage in 1950.

The grape's survival is credited to one Rémi Couvreur-Périn, a prominent regional ampelography expert. As early as 1900, he observed the Pink Chardonnay mutation in his vineyard and chose to preserve it in his personal collection. His work, which was published in 1926 in Le Vigneron Champenois, also provides the earliest written record of the grape's existence in Champagne.

In 2017, the Champagne interprofessional organization launched serious work to rehabilitate Pink Chardonnay, which, like white Chardonnay, was mistakenly identified as a type of Pinot in the early 20th century.

Wine journalist Sophie Claeys said on her blog that she sees this historic recognition as “symbolising the industry’s desire to preserve its heritage while preparing for the future”.

Kanpai!

88 Bamboo Editorial Team