February 23rd – The jury for the recent Global Wine Masters awards, organised by the Drink Business magazine, showed a spirit of activism that reflects a fundamental trend and a radical change of mentality. The 2023 Masters awards introduced a new category, “Design & Packaging”, with Maison Telmont being awarded the gold medal for its “Réserve de la Terre”. Like Telmont’s other cuvées, this fully organic cuvée follows the House’s “no packaging” programme.
With its “In the Name of the Mother Nature” project, aimed at drastically reducing its carbon footprint, Maison Telmont decided to turn away from the dominant practices in the sector and to eliminate gift boxes, as well as other packaging, to focus on what really counts: the wine. We make champagne, not giftboxes. This initiative has already reduced the carbon footprint of every bottle produced by 8%.
The jury specifically praised the eco-responsible design, the pared-back beauty of the bottle, and the wealth of information provided on the main label. This innovative label is the wine’s identity card, presenting in full transparency detailed information about the variety of grapes and the blend of vintages used.
“This gold medal is a recognition of the occasionally-radical choices the House has made, and confirmation that our insight was right: sometimes, no packaging is the best packaging. It encourages us to continue further down this path, always “In the Name of Mother Nature”. We decided to eliminate gift boxes in June 2021. The good news is that, based on over 20 months of sales figures, we can say that this has had no negative impact on our sales. There has even been a positive effect. Indeed, there is clearly a new generation of customers who no longer want gift boxes, nor even “ecological” packaging, a new generation for which ‘the best packaging is no packaging’.”
Ludovic du Plessis, President of Maison Telmont.
About Maison Telmont
Founded in 1912, the Telmont Champagne House is located in Damery, near Épernay, France. Created in the wake of the champagne riots by Henri Lhôpital, a brave local winegrower, the House remains familial and visionary: Bertrand Lhôpital, Cellar Master and Head of Viticulture of the Telmont House, today represents the fourth generation. Unfailing commitment to the respect of its terroir has led the House to embrace a highly demanding environmental approach. In 2017, it earned its first AB Certification (organic agriculture) for part of its vineyard – the result of a labour of love and patience, proving once more the House’s vow to preserving the environment. The Rémy Cointreau group identified with the values of the House and purchased a majority share in October 2020. The House embodies a unique style: the champagnes are ethereal yet structured, balanced between tension and freshness – a perfect harmony. Champagne Telmont enables the terroir to express itself through its wines, employing its know-how to help reveal the various facets of nature.
