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Champagne and festive terroir: enhancing an organic Christmas menu with the art of natural pairing
Champagne and festive terroir: enhancing an organic Christmas menu with the art of natural pairing
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The holiday season brings joy and conviviality. Conversely, this time of year can be stressful for those in charge of...

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7 must-see weekend experiences in the Marne Valley
7 must-see weekend experiences in the Marne Valley
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La Vallée de la Marne est une invitation au voyage, à la fois sensoriel et culturel. Terre de vignes, d’histoire et...

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Champagne parfait: elegance and softness for your festive season
Champagne parfait: elegance and softness for your festive season
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Champagne parfait is the ideal dessert to celebrate New Year's Eve. Delicious, easy to prepare, and customizable to...

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What's the right choice between champagne from the big houses and champagne from the winegrowers?
What's the right choice between champagne from the big houses and champagne from the winegrowers?
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The world of champagne encompasses a diversity that is often overlooked between the prestigious Grandes Maisons and...

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How to eat well during your stay in Champagne
How to eat well during your stay in Champagne
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Profiter des délices de la région Champagne tout en maintenant une alimentation équilibrée est tout à fait possible.

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Geographical location of Champagne

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The production area of the Champagne appellation d'origine contrôlée (AOC), defined by law in 1927, covers some 34,000 hectares. This region, located in France some 150 kilometers east of Paris, comprises 319 crus (or communes) spread across five départements: Marne (67%), Aube (23%), Aisne (9%), Haute-Marne and Seine-et-Marne.

The Champagne vineyards are divided into four main regions: Montagne de Reims, Vallée de la Marne, Côte des Blancs and Côte des Bar. It comprises some 281,000 parcels, each with an average surface area of 12 ares. Historically, 17 villages have received the "grand cru" designation and 44 villages have received the "premier cru" designation. The three key elements of the Champagne terroir - climate, soil and subsoil, and relief - form a unique combination, a mosaic of micro-terroirs with unique characteristics. The expertise of Champagne's 15,000 winegrowers makes the most of these characteristics.

THE CHAMPAGNE REGION

Champagne vineyards are planted between 90 and 300 meters above sea level. It is a hillside vineyard, mostly facing south, southeast and east, with an average slope of 12%, and some slopes reaching almost 60%. The Champagne terroir is sufficiently steep and undulating to allow good insolation of the vines, and its slope facilitates drainage of excess water.