House vs grower
The most telling code on a Champagne label is two tiny letters near the bottom that say who actually made it.
NM — Négociant Manipulant
The big houses- Buys grapes from many growers
- Moët, Veuve, Bollinger, etc.
- Consistent house style across years
RM — Récoltant Manipulant
Grower Champagne- Grows its own grapes and makes its own wine
- Expresses a single grower’s terroir
- The “grower fizz” movement
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Other codes
CM = co-operative; SR = growers’ family union; MA = a buyer’s own brand (e.g. a supermarket label). NM and RM are the two you’ll see most.