Sophisticated Champagne box

Thirteen generations of Cattiers have worked the vines in Chigny-les-Roses, in the heart of the Montagne de Reims Champagne district. This family tradition dates back to at least 1625 and four generations have been producing Champagne on what is today a 33-hectare estate.

Cattier Champagne’s brand values are elegance (for the wines), precision (for the blend) and the independence of this family-run estate. The brand’s signature is “Le devoir d’excellence,” which translates loosely to “the duty to provide excellence.” This high standard applies to the brand’s new packaging as well.

It was important to upgrade the sparkling wine packaging following a reworking of the Cattier brand identity, says Virginie Delcourt, Marketing and Communication, Cattier. “Our Premier Cru range has been given a facelift, with elegant and modern new boxes to highlight our new image. The packaging is essential for Champagne because it is an integral part of the brand’s DNA and a reflection of the product. It’s the first thing that the customer sees. It must correspond to Cattier’s brand values because it’s a true communication tool.”

Colour accuracy was critical for the high quality boxes with embossing, hot foil stamping, a matt varnish and a glossy varnish. “Visually, we wanted the box to be sober and elegant,” says Delcourt, who selected Invercote G 240 for their four ranges of Champagne. “This paper was chosen for its whiteness, resistance, touch and quality.”

One challenge was finding a paperboard for the champagne packaging that matched the rougher, matt texture of the paper used on the bottle labels. “My supplier, Le Sanglier, proposed using the reverse side of the Invercote paper,” says Delcourt, who looks to suppliers as a source of ideas and advice. “They presented me with several samples of gift boxes and I was conquered by the result.”

Invercote G has a light coating on the reverse side, to maintain the feel of an uncoated board. At the same time, it allows for double-sided printing.

“Compared to using the regular side of the board, the reverse side has a matt finish, with less shine and the touch is more natural,” says Delcourt, who is pleased with the final result. “The finishes are very successful: The monogram and the logo are accentuated by embossing, it’s very elegant, and the touch and the appearance are faithful to our demands.”

Preserving the environment is a priority for Cattier Champagne, says Delcourt and this family-run business is dedicated to sustainable vine growing. “Since the mid-1990s, we have made it a priority to take a more ethical and environmental approach to how we tend the wines.” The Champagne house has been rewarded for these efforts with Ampelos certification, a label created by winemakers who prioritise respect for native plants and animals. Cattier also achieved a level three (the highest possible) HVE label for high environmental value in 2015 and, in 2017, was awarded the VDC for sustainable production in Champagne.

Using Holmen's paperboard sourced from sustainably managed forests goes hand in hand with this dedication to sustainable practices. Delcourt credits a visit to Holmen's mill in Iggesund with helping her to better understand and experience Holmen's paperboard production process from the seed nursery through to paper making.

Created 24 September, 2020.