Belon

French · press receiving tank

A belon is the open tank that receives the cuvée juice as it runs from the Champagne press.1

Each pressing fraction, the cuvée and then the taille, is kept apart.2 From the press the juice goes to settling, or débourbage. The Comité Champagne describes clear juice being drawn off after 12 to 24 hours in a settling tank, which it also calls a belon.3

At this stage a small amount of sulphur dioxide is added as an antiseptic and antioxidant.3 See pressurage, pressing and débourbage.

See also

PressingMethodsDébourbageMethodsCuvéeGlossaryDébourbageGlossary

Sources

  1. Union des Maisons de Champagne. Pressing
  2. Cahier des charges de l'AOP « Champagne » - modifications approved by the INAO national committee on 11 September 2024 (national opposition procedure text) (2024-09-11)
  3. Comité Champagne (champagne.fr). Settling

Facts checked on 2026-10-19