Contre-étiquette

French · back label

The contre-étiquette is the back label; it often carries grape varieties, the disgorgement date and other optional information.1,2

It is part of the habillage, with the front label and the foil coiffe.1 The disgorgement date matters because Champagne may not be disgorged earlier than 12 months after tirage: see dégorgement and late-disgorged.3

Rules on what labels must show are on EU labelling; producer codes such as NM and RM are explained in label codes. These details are optional rather than required.2

See also

HabillageGlossaryChampagne label codes: NM, RM, CM, RC, SR, ND, MAStylesLabel terms in EU lawMethodsDégorgementGlossary

Sources

  1. Comité Champagne (champagne.education). Fiche Élaboration du Champagne (FR) (2024-05)
  2. Comité Champagne (champagne.education). How to read a Champagne label (2024-02)
  3. 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)

Facts checked on 2026-10-19