Champagne Officially Adds Chardonnay Rosé to Its Appellation

In a landmark decision that blends heritage with forward thinking, the Champagne appellation officially authorized Chardonnay Rosé as a permitted grape variety in July 2025. The move expands Champagne’s list of authorized cépages to eight and marks the formal return of a vine that has lingered for decades on the margins of viticultural memory.

Often called Pink Chardonnay, Chardonnay Rosé is not a new invention, nor the result of modern crossbreeding. It is a natural color mutation of classic Chardonnay, genetically identical to its white-berried counterpart, distinguished only by its pale pink to light red grape skins. Those subtle hues come from anthocyanins in the skins, a rare but naturally occurring variation that has existed for more than a century.

Chardonnay Rosé was first documented in the early 20th century in both Champagne and Burgundy. Despite this early recognition, it gradually disappeared from commercial vineyards. Low availability, limited propagation, and the region’s increasing focus on its core trio, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Meunier, pushed the variety into obscurity.

For decades, Chardonnay Rosé survived almost exclusively in ampelographic conservatories and through the dedication of a few growers who preserved isolated vines. A major turning point came in 2018, when the grape was officially entered into the French National Catalogue of grape varieties, granting it formal botanical recognition and opening the door to renewed propagation. Seven years later, that groundwork culminated in its inclusion in the Champagne appellation itself.

The reauthorization of Chardonnay Rosé reflects a broader philosophy taking shape in Champagne: adaptation through heritage. Unlike recently approved disease-resistant hybrids designed to address sustainability and climate challenges, Chardonnay Rosé represents a rediscovery of historic plant material, deeply rooted in the region’s past.

By reintroducing a grape that is both traditional and genetically familiar, Champagne reinforces its commitment to biodiversity, resilience, and continuity. It is a reminder that innovation does not always require invention, sometimes it means looking backward with clearer eyes.

From a viticultural standpoint, Chardonnay Rosé behaves very much like classic Chardonnay. Growth patterns, ripening timelines, and balance are largely comparable, making it a natural fit within existing vineyard practices.

In the winery, however, Chardonnay Rosé demands a gentle touch. Pressing is typically handled with particular care to avoid excessive color extraction. The goal is emphatically not to create rosé Champagne, but rather to produce white base wines that preserve the tension, elegance, and freshness for which Chardonnay is prized.

Early experiments suggest subtle distinctions rather than dramatic departures: slightly heightened aromatic expression, delicate phenolic texture, and a familiar, linear palate. These nuances are seen as complementary, adding dimension without altering Champagne’s stylistic identity.

As with Champagne’s other minority grape varieties, Arbane, Petit Meslier, Pinot Blanc, and Pinot Gris, plantings of Chardonnay Rosé are expected to remain strictly limited. Together, these grapes occupy only a tiny fraction of the region’s vineyard surface, yet their symbolic weight is considerable.

They represent diversity, resilience, and a willingness to engage thoughtfully with both past and future.

The authorization of Chardonnay Rosé is not a revolution. It is a measured evolution, perfectly in line with Champagne’s long-standing approach to change. By welcoming this rare mutation back into the fold, the region demonstrates that even the most iconic wine appellation in the world can renew itself, quietly, deliberately, and with deep respect for its own history.

For Champagne lovers, Chardonnay Rosé may remain a curiosity for years to come. But its return sends a clear message: Champagne’s future will be built not just on innovation, but on remembrance.