Grape Variety
Arbane
“The Ghost of Champagne”
Arbane is a white wine grape grown in Aube, Champagne, France — known as “Champagne's Fourth Grape”.
Arbane at a glance
| Color | White |
|---|---|
| Signature flavors | Citrus, Green Apple, High Acidity, Mineral, Delicate, Fresh |
| Classic pairings | Champagne occasions, Oysters, Light aperitivo, Delicate seafood |
| Where it grows | Aube, Champagne, France |
The Story
Arbane is one of Champagne's seven permitted grapes—and the rarest by far. Fewer than 1 hectare remains. It once covered hundreds of hectares before phylloxera. A handful of growers are reviving this ghost variety, making some of Champagne's most unusual wines.
Insider Story
Arbane almost vanished completely.
Moutard is the main preserver, with a mono-cépage bottling.
The grape adds herbal, earthy notes unlike anything else in Champagne.
Technical Deep Dive
Light-bodied white.
Herbal, earthy, citrus, mineral.
High acidity.
Late ripening.
Usually blended with other varieties.
Industry Secrets
Arbane mono-cépage Champagne is the ultimate collector's item.
Fewer than 5 producers make it.
The taste is unlike any other Champagne grape.
Collector’s Corner
Investment grade B- Auction records
- Rare—collector items when found
- Blue-chip producers
- ["Moutard","Aubry"]
- Value picks
- Any Arbane Champagne ($50-100)
- Price trend
- Rising. Extreme rarity.
- Collector’s tip
- Buy any you find. Museum-piece wines.
Updated March 2026
More white grapes
Remember every Arbane you taste
Wine Memories keeps the where, the who, and the why — not just the tasting note.
Get the app