Is Moët and Chandon Gluten-Free?

December 17, 2025 •

4 min read

According to Beyond Celiac, sparkling wine and champagne are naturally gluten-free and generally safe for consumption. For those on a gluten-free diet, a key question that often arises concerns specific brands like Moët & Chandon. This premium champagne brand is widely regarded as a safe choice for those avoiding gluten, due to its traditional production methods.

Quick Summary

Moët & Chandon champagne is widely confirmed as gluten-free, derived from naturally gluten-free ingredients like grapes and yeast. The traditional winemaking process, which avoids gluten-containing fining agents and sealing methods, ensures its safety for individuals with celiac disease or gluten sensitivities. Minimal risk of cross-contamination exists, making it a reliable option.

Key Points

Moët is Gluten-Free: The company confirms its champagne is free from gluten and wheat, making it safe for celiac and gluten-sensitive individuals.
Made from Naturally Gluten-Free Grapes: As a classic champagne, it is produced from grapes, which are inherently gluten-free.
Traditional Production Avoids Gluten: Moët & Chandon uses traditional production methods that do not involve gluten-containing fining agents or barrel sealants.
Cross-Contamination Risk is Minimal: While cross-contamination is a theoretical risk in any shared facility, the strict regulations and processes in champagne production make it highly unlikely.
No Gluten-Free Label Needed: Many products that are naturally gluten-free do not carry a specific label, but this absence does not imply the presence of gluten.
Confirm for Additives: Always be wary of flavored wines or wine coolers, which are more likely to contain glutenous additives.

Understanding the Winemaking Process

To understand whether Moët and Chandon is gluten-free, it's crucial to examine the fundamentals of champagne production. Champagne, like other wines, is made from grapes—specifically, for true champagne, it's typically Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier. The core ingredients and fermentation process are naturally devoid of gluten. The yeast consumes the sugar from the grapes, converting it into alcohol and carbon dioxide, which creates the signature bubbles. This process, in and of itself, is gluten-free.

Potential Sources of Gluten in Winemaking

While the basic ingredients are gluten-free, two potential points of contamination in some winemaking processes have historically posed a risk for extremely sensitive individuals:

Fining Agents: This process is used to clarify wine by removing unwanted particles. Historically, some winemakers have used agents derived from gluten-containing sources like wheat protein. However, this is not a common practice today, and most reputable wineries, including Moët & Chandon, use gluten-free alternatives like bentonite clay, egg whites, or isinglass. A shift toward vegan-friendly and natural wines has further reduced the use of glutenous fining agents.
Barrel Sealants: Another historical practice was to use a flour-based paste to seal oak barrels during aging. Modern winemaking overwhelmingly uses paraffin or wax-based sealants, and many mass-produced champagnes are fermented in stainless steel tanks, eliminating this risk entirely. For champagne, aging methods and equipment are highly controlled to ensure product integrity.

Is Moët and Chandon Safe for a Gluten-Free Diet?

Yes, Moët and Chandon is gluten-free and considered safe for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. The company has confirmed that its production process does not use gluten-containing ingredients. This assurance is reinforced by third-party retailers and gluten-free resource sites that list the brand as a safe option.

Comparing Moët and Chandon to Other Brands


Aspect	Moët and Chandon	Other Major Champagne Brands (e.g., Veuve Clicquot)	Budget Sparkling Wines (e.g., some Prosecco)	Some Wine Coolers or Flavored Wines
Gluten Status	Confirmed gluten-free.	Also widely considered gluten-free based on traditional methods.	Typically gluten-free, but confirm individual brands.	Often contain gluten from barley malt or other additives. Caution Advised.
Ingredients	Grapes (Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier), yeast, sugar.	Similar high-quality grape varieties and yeast.	Varies by brand, but primarily grapes.	Base wine plus added fruit juices, flavorings, and often malt.
Production	Adheres to a strict, high-quality, gluten-free process.	Standardized champagne methods, very low risk of contamination.	Varies greatly; lower-end products might have more additives.	Higher risk of contamination due to additives and processing facilities.
Labeling	Not always labeled as "gluten-free" but confirmed by company.	Often not labeled, as it's naturally gluten-free.	May sometimes carry a gluten-free label if precautions are taken.	Must be checked carefully; often contain gluten.

How to Safely Choose Any Sparkling Wine

Even with the general safety of champagne, vigilance is key for those with severe sensitivities or celiac disease. Here's a quick checklist to follow:

Stick to Traditional Winemaking: Opt for unflavored, traditional wines and champagnes that follow centuries-old methods. The simpler the process, the lower the risk.
Contact the Manufacturer: If you have severe sensitivities, your safest bet is always to contact the manufacturer directly to confirm their processing and handling practices, which might include cross-contamination risks.
Read Labels Carefully: While champagne and wine labels aren't legally required to list gluten if it's naturally gluten-free, always check for ingredients lists on newer or flavored sparkling wines, as these can contain additives with hidden gluten.
Prioritize Certified Brands: Some brands, though not Moët & Chandon, might seek official gluten-free certification, which offers an extra layer of assurance for the most sensitive individuals.

Conclusion

In summary, the luxurious and world-renowned Moët & Chandon champagne is indeed a gluten-free beverage. Its production relies on inherently gluten-free ingredients—grapes, sugar, and yeast—and it adheres to meticulous processes that exclude gluten-containing fining agents or barrel sealants. While the absence of a 'gluten-free' label is common for naturally gluten-free products like traditional champagne, brand confirmations and industry standards make Moët & Chandon a safe choice. As with any food or beverage, those with severe sensitivities should remain cautious, but for the vast majority of people with a gluten-free diet, enjoying a glass of Moët poses no risk.

Note: The information provided here is for informational purposes only. Individuals with celiac disease or severe gluten intolerance should always consult a healthcare professional for specific dietary advice.

What to Consider When Buying Wine for a Gluten-Free Diet

Avoid Flavored or Wine-Based Coolers: These products often contain barley malt and other additives that are not gluten-free.
Prioritize Trusted Brands: Reputable wineries are more likely to have strict controls over their production and fining processes.
Check Production Methods for Barrel Aging: While rare today, some older, smaller producers might still use traditional wheat paste sealants on oak barrels.
Consider Stainless Steel Fermentation: Wines fermented in stainless steel tanks have a virtually non-existent risk of barrel-related cross-contamination.
Recognize General Safety: Traditional, unflavored wines and champagnes are the safest bet for a gluten-free diet, given their simple, grape-based ingredients.
Reach Out to the Company: For absolute certainty, particularly with a less-established brand, contacting the company directly is the surest method.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, Moët & Chandon champagne is considered safe for people with celiac disease. Its production process uses naturally gluten-free ingredients and does not use gluten-containing agents, as confirmed by the company.

Not typically. Many beverages like traditional champagne are naturally gluten-free, so they are not required to be labeled as such. The absence of a label does not indicate the presence of gluten.

While most traditional champagne is naturally gluten-free due to its production with grapes, it's always wise to exercise caution with flavored or less-reputable brands. For total assurance, check with the specific brand.

The risk of cross-contamination during traditional champagne production is minimal. Moët & Chandon adheres to strict, high-quality manufacturing standards that minimize any such risk.

Rarely, certain fining agents (clarifying agents) or historical barrel sealants might contain trace amounts of gluten. Some flavored sparkling wine coolers are more likely to contain glutenous additives.

No, both Moët & Chandon and Dom Pérignon (which is owned by Moët Hennessy) are produced using naturally gluten-free methods. Both are safe for a gluten-free diet.

Yes, the gluten-free status applies to all standard varieties of Moët & Chandon, including Brut Imperial and Rosé, as they follow the same production principles.