Accessibility links
France Plans Lucrative Champagne Expansion A century-old law restricted champagne production to 370 villages in northeastern France, but with demand now outstripping supply, the official body that determines wine laws is admitting 40 more communities — a lucrative move for those joining the exclusive club of champagne producers.
NPR logo

France Plans Lucrative Champagne Expansion

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/90309559/90309524" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
France Plans Lucrative Champagne Expansion

World

France Plans Lucrative Champagne Expansion

Heard on Morning Edition

France Plans Lucrative Champagne Expansion

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/90309559/90309524" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

The official body that determines France's wine laws has decided to expand the country's champagne-producing region to meet growing worldwide demand.

A century-old law has restricted champagne production to just 370 villages in northeastern France, but with demand now outstripping supply, the group is admitting 40 more communities.

For those joining the exclusive club of champagne producers, the move will be extremely lucrative.