What are the main regions of the Champagne terroir?
The regions of the Champagne terroir
Champagne wines are renowned throughout the world, but the land from which they originate is little known. The Champagne vineyards date back to the beginning of the Common Era, and in 1927 an Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC) established the boundaries of the wine-growing region.
The Champagne region in France is situated in the north, has challenging climatic conditions, is set on hillsides and boasts a unique subsoil. These factors combine to create a unique terroir, which contributes to the distinctive character of Champagne wines.
Champagne is known for its four main terroir regions.
There are four main regions:
The Montagne de Reims is a mountain near the city of Reims, in France
The Marne Valley is a wine-growing region which – surprise, surprise – is situated… on the banks of the Marne! From Château-Thierry and Charly-sur-Marne as far as Épernay and Aÿ, Pinot Meunier is right at home. So, what distinctive qualities does this offer? Very powerful wines, but ones that sorely lack vibrancy and lightness.
This is because Pinot Meunier isn’t known for being a particularly refined or subtle grape variety. That’s why it’s often found in blends with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, or used to add colour to rosés. A few ‘blancs de blancs’ can be found.
Champagne from the Marne Valley
The Marne Valley is a wine-growing region which – surprise, surprise – is situated… on the banks of the Marne! From Château-Thierry and Charly-sur-Marne right through to Épernay and Aÿ, Pinot Meunier is right at home. So, what distinctive characteristics does this offer? Very powerful wines, but ones that sorely lack vibrancy and lightness.
This is because Pinot Meunier isn’t known for being a particularly refined or subtle grape variety. That’s why it’s often found in blends with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, or used to add colour to rosés. A few ‘blancs de blancs’ can be found.
The Côte des Blancs and the Côte de Sézanne
The Côte des Blancs and the Côte de Sézanne are undoubtedly the most beautiful parts of the Champagne vineyards. Indeed, this region produces Champagne’s finest grape variety, and also the least common: Chardonnay. Champagne’s only entirely white grape variety thrives from the north ofAvize as far as Villeneuve-la-Grande, south-west of Sézanne. The only exception to Chardonnay’s undisputed dominance? The Vertus region, right in the middle, which produces the most sought-after Pinot Noirs in Champagne.
For even without having studied geology at length, one quickly realises that the soil of the Côte des Blancs and the Côte de Sézanne is very rich at depth, thus forcing the vines’ roots to reach deep into the ground in search of nutrients. This results in white grapes with very high potential, which are highly complex and very refined.
Final stop: the Côte des Bar
The final stop on our long journey through the regions of Champagne (well, without leaving our screens, admittedly, but a long journey nonetheless) is the Côte des Bar! With vineyards planted mainly with Pinot Noir, the Côte des Bar is situated between Bar-sur-Seine and Bar-sur-Aube. Yes, in Champagne, we’re generally not very original when it comes to names.
The Champagne region in France lies at a northern latitude and has a dual climate, featuring both oceanic and continental influences. This distinctive terroir is what defines Champagne, and it’s what many other wines are often compared to.
Champagne benefits from a dual climate, which promotes healthy grape growth. The weather is mainly windy, but there are also long periods of sunshine and light rainfall.
Champagne has a limestone subsoil which ensures a constant supply of natural irrigation for the vines. This is one of the defining characteristics of the region’s terroir.
The Champagne region in France boasts a unique combination of subsoil, topography and climate for each vineyard plot. These variations create endless combinations, making the region highly diverse.
