L'Academie du Champagne, or 'The Champagne Academy' was established in 1956 by twelve Grandes Marques champagne houses to recognise the UK and Ireland as key markets, and to foster the appreciation of Grande Marque Champagne through the education of younger members of the wine trade. Twenty nine years later a further 4 house joined the original twelve creating the sixteen Grandes Marques which today represent the L'Academie du Champagne