Following a successful test phase with Verallia, Telmont will progressively adopt a bottle weighing only 800 grams, a potential new standard for Champagne bottles…
March 5th – Last spring, in close partnership with French glassmaker Verallia, Telmont announced the launch of a test phase for bottles weighing only 800 grams, that is 35 grams lighter than today’s standard champagne bottles.
This lightened bottle is the fruit of Verallia’s glassmaking know-how; Verallia had already initiated, ten years ago, a first reduction of Champagne bottles’ weight, from 900 to 835 grams. Trimming off an additional 35 grams, without weakening the bottles’ mechanical resistance to gas pressure – twice the pressure than in a car tire – took incredible technical prowess.
The tests, carried out by Telmont on 3000 bottles, were highly conclusive. A new stage now begins, with the expansion of production with a first batch of 30,000 bottles. It is the certified organic cuvée ‘Réserve de la Terre’, that ages for a minimum of 3 years, which will be the first to benefit from this innovation. The first lightened bottles will thus be available to customers as of 2026.
The glass used for bottles is one of the major sources of carbon emissions (for Telmont, representing about 24% of total emissions). Lighter bottles contain less glass, and therefore generate less carbon emissions during the glass melting and production processes: around 4% less CO2 per bottle produced. Plus, these ultra-light-weight bottles require less fuel for transport, upstream and downstream, ensuring additional energy savings and environmental benefits.
Generalizing the use of 800-gram bottles would be a big step forward for Maison Telmont in its endeavor to reduce its environmental impact and reach the objectives set by its “In the Name of Mother Nature” project: being Climate Positive by 2030, and Net Positive by 2050.
In this framework, Telmont has taken numerous initiatives since June 2021, including completely rethinking its packaging. After eliminating all gift boxes and bespoke bottles – more eye-catching, but heavier and with a larger carbon footprint – and replacing all transparent bottles (made from 0% recycled glass) with only green champagne bottles made with up to 87% recycled glass (average rate of external cullet, Verallia France 2021), the next logical step for Telmont was to team up with Verallia to try and reduce the bottle weight.
“We are proud to have taken up this challenge with Verallia, so far successfully. This experiment initiated by Telmont must extend beyond the borders of our estate. In the Name of Mother Nature, we encourage everyone in Champagne to adopt this bottle. Why? Because using lighter bottles across the board is better for our planet and will benefit all!” Ludovic du Plessis, President of Maison Telmont.
“Telmont continues to prove that it is at the forefront of sustainable winemaking,” says investor Leonardo DiCaprio. “With an ambitious goal of becoming the first climate positive champagne house by 2030, and net positive by 2050, this step demonstrates Telmont’s commitment to reducing the carbon footprint of winemaking and changing the ways they cultivate, produce and transport their champagne.”
“This innovation, designed and developed in France, in our Oiry factory located in the heart of the Champagne vineyards, is a new technical feat. This is the second time that we have lightened this Champagne standard, in line with our environmental ambition to reduce our CO2 emissions by 46% by 2030. We are very happy to test this new bottle with Maison Telmont, and hope that this standard will be adopted more widely.” Axel Guilloteau, Head of Marketing and Sales, Verallia France.
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. The House claims a line of conduct: the wine will be good if the Earth is beautiful. Thus, after earning its first AB (organic agriculture) certification in 2017 for part of its parcels and following the acquisition of a majority stake by the Rémy Cointreau group, Telmont launched a program in 2021: “In the Name of Mother Nature”. The aim is to produce a very high-quality champagne while maintaining a strong respect for the environment. The actions undertaken concern the conversion to organic viticulture of 100% of its estate and the parcels of its winegrower partners, the preservation of biodiversity and the drastic reduction of its carbon footprint. Initiatives have already been taken and will be expanded: elimination of gift boxes and other unnecessary packaging, reduction of the bottle weight, abandonment of transparent bottles containing non-recycled glass and bottles in special formats, complete stop of air freight for the transport of bottles and use of renewable energy. The company aims to be Climate Positive by 2030 and Net Positive by 2050. 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.
