How long does it take to make Champagne?
Champagne takes 3.0 years — from start to finish across 6 stages.
Ad Space ()
Timeline Overview
Total Duration
3.0 years
Stages
6
Category
Wine & Spirits
Non-vintage minimum 15 months on lees, vintage minimum 3 years. Prestige cuvées often age 5-10 years.
Stages
Harvest & First Fermentation 1 month
Grapes pressed and fermented into still wine
Blending (Assemblage) 1 month
Winemaker blends wines from different vineyards and years
Second Fermentation (in bottle) 2 weeks
Sugar and yeast added, bottle sealed — creates bubbles
Aging on Lees (NV minimum) 1.2 years
Non-vintage must age 15 months minimum
Aging on Lees (Vintage) 3.0 years
Vintage champagne ages 3+ years on lees
Riddling & Disgorgement 2 weeks
Bottles rotated, yeast sediment removed, dosage added
For perspective...
That's 3.0 years. A child born today would be 3 years old when this finishes.
Ad Space ()
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to make Champagne?
Non-vintage minimum 15 months on lees, vintage minimum 3 years. Prestige cuvées often age 5-10 years.
What are the stages of making Champagne?
There are 6 main stages: Harvest & First Fermentation, Blending (Assemblage), Second Fermentation (in bottle), Aging on Lees (NV minimum), Aging on Lees (Vintage), Riddling & Disgorgement.
Ad Space ()