🥃 Marc champenois
Protected EU name for a spirit from Champagne grape marc; until 2026 called Marc de Champagne; from 40% ABV.
Marc champenois (also Eau-de-vie de marc champenois) is a protected EU geographical name for a strong spirit made from grape marc of the Champagne region. It is distilled only from marc of grapes intended for the sparkling PDO «Champagne». Until April 2026 the same name was «Marc de Champagne»; the production rules did not change with the renaming.
The territory is the AOC «Champagne» zone, delimited by the law of 22 July 1927: the departments of Marne, Aube, Aisne, Haute-Marne and Seine-et-Marne. The main varieties are pinot noir (38% of the vineyards), pinot meunier (32%) and chardonnay (29%). The local marc is called «aignes»; because of the gentle pressing it is wetter than ordinary marc.
The marc is placed in silos no later than 72 hours after pressing and fermented without air. Yeast lees may be added up to 20% of the weight of the marc, and distillation must be finished by 31 May. Three methods are allowed, including double distillation in a copper still of up to 25 hl; the distillate may not exceed 71% vol.
White marc rests in inert vessels for at least 3 months. Aged marc spends at least 24 months in oak of up to 10 hl; oak chips are forbidden. It is sold from 40% ABV. Label mentions: «Vieux» from 4 years, «VSOP» from 8, «XO» from 10. The name has been protected in the EU since 12 June 1989 (PGI-FR-02063).
Why this matters to you. Old bottles of «Marc de Champagne» and new ones of «Marc champenois» are the same drink. It is neither sparkling wine nor cognac, but a spirit made from marc. WHO reminds: there is no safe dose of alcohol.
Facts
| Legal basis | EU geographical indication PGI-FR-02063 (since 12 June 1989); renaming: Reg. (EU) 2026/729 |
|---|---|
| EU category | 6 “Grape marc spirit” |
| Raw material | grape marc of the PDO Champagne: pinot noir, pinot meunier, chardonnay |
| Distillation method | up to 71% vol., by 31 May; three permitted methods, copper stills |
| Minimum maturation | white: 3 months; aged: 24 months in oak of up to 10 hl |
| Alcohol (% vol.) | from 40% ABV |
How it connects to Spirits
🥃 Marc champenois → kind of → 🍇 Pomace spirits → kind of → 🥃 Spirits
Links
- Next step
- 🍷 Alcoholic fermentation
- Packed in
- 🍷 Oak barrel, 🍷 Wine label
- Made from
- 🥃 Pomace, 🍇 Pinot Noir, 🍇 Pinot Meunier, 🍇 Chardonnay
- What it affects
- 🍷 Alcohol and health, 🍷 Drunk driving
- Traditions
- 🧑🤝🧑 French
- Part of
- 🍇 Pomace spirits, 🥃 Marc, 🥃 Pomace brandy
- Related to
- 📍 Champagne
- Similar and different
- 🍷 Ratafia de Champagne, 🥃 Grappa, 🥃 Marc de Bourgogne, 🥃 Marc de Bourgogne
- In other topics
- 🍷 Champagne
Frequently asked questions
Is it true that Marc champenois is distilled champagne?
No. It is distilled not from wine but from the marc left after the grapes for champagne are pressed. The first distillation is done together with the marc itself.
Why is Marc de Champagne now called Marc champenois?
France asked for the name to be changed, and the European Commission approved it by Regulation (EU) 2026/729 of 19 March 2026. The production rules did not change.
Which grape varieties is Marc champenois made from?
The same as champagne: mainly pinot noir, pinot meunier and chardonnay. The marc must come from grapes that meet the rules of the PDO «Champagne».
How long is Marc champenois aged?
White: at least 3 months in inert vessels. Aged: at least 24 months in oak of up to 10 hl; «Vieux» from 4 years, «VSOP» from 8, «XO» from 10.
What is the strength of Marc champenois?
It is sold at no less than 40% ABV. After distillation the spirit has at most 71% vol., so it is diluted before bottling.
What to read next
- 📍 Champagne — A wine region in north-eastern France: about 34,200 ha across five départements; sparkling wine named Champagne comes only from here.
- 🍷 Alcohol and health — Alcohol in any drink is harmful in large amounts, and the risks grow with the quantity.
- 🍷 Alcoholic fermentation — Yeast eats the sugar in the must and releases alcohol and carbon dioxide.
- 🍷 Oak barrel — A wooden barrel of oak staves in which wine matures and breathes.
- 🥃 Pomace — Grape skins, seeds and stems left after pressing.
Similar
🥃 Marc d'Auvergne · 🥃 Marc de Bourgogne · 🥃 Marc de Provence · 🥃 Marc du Bugey · 🥃 Marc du Languedoc · 🥃 Marc de Savoie
⚠️ Spirit drinks contain alcohol and are for adults only. Alcohol harms health. Do not drink during pregnancy or before driving; check the label for ingredients and possible allergens.
Sources
- eAmbrosia: technical file of the GI «Marc de Champagne / Eau-de-vie de marc de Champagne», Ares(2016)7180435, PGI-FR-02063
- Cahier des charges de l'IG «Marc champenois» ou «Eau-de-vie de marc champenois», arrêté du 20.06.2022 (JORF 29.06.2022), BO Agri
- Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/729 of 19.03.2026 (OJ L, 26.03.2026): name change to «Marc champenois / Eau-de-vie de marc champenois»
- eAmbrosia register: «Marc champenois / Eau-de-vie de marc champenois», EUGI00000014096 (PGI-FR-02063), GI registered, EU protection 12.06.1989
- Regulation (EU) 2019/787 on spirit drinks (OJ L 130, 17.5.2019), Annex I, category 6 «Grape marc spirit or grape marc»
- Regulation (EC) No 110/2008, Annex III: geographical indications of spirit drinks, category 6 (version of 31.01.2020)
- WHO/Europe: No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health (04.01.2023)