Champagne
Grapes: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier
A region of celebration, sophistication and charm.
climate: oceanic and continental
Get to know Champagne
According to legend, the 17th-century monk Dom Pierre Pérignon took grapes from Languedoc in the south of France and grew them in the chalky soil of Champagne, and today its champagne is still made with red Pinot Noir, black Pinot Meunier and white Chardonnay grapes.
Map highlights major wine regions from north to south.
Located just north-east of Paris, Champagne is the most northerly of all the wine producing regions in France.
Montagne & The Vallée de Reims
The Montagne de Reims is directly north of Epernary and produces mostly pinots (38% of plantings) but also some Meunier. The Mountain itself is actually more of a gentle hill than a mountain but the region is home to more grands crus than any other district in Champagne with 9 grand cru villages found in The Montagne de Reims.
Image by vargascarlos8821 from Pixabay
Valley de la Marne
The Vallée de la Marne is found to the south of Epernay and is renowned for its abundance of meunier grapes. Pinot Meunier grapes are more robust and resistant to cold weather making them well suited to the valley which is very prone to frost. The grand cru villages best known for their Meunier grapes are the ones closest to Epernay
Pictured: Image by romaindekeyser from Pixabay
The Côte des Blancs & Surrounds
The Côte des Blancs, south of Epernay, is chardonnay country. Chardonnay grapes bring freshness to champagnes, and each village in the Cote des Blancs produces grapes and wines with their own characteristics. Côte de Sézanne produces chardonnay grapes and is an extension of the Côte des Blancs, with the marshes of Saint Gond dividing the two districts.
The Aube / Côte des Bar
The Aube / Côte des Bar was new to the Appellation at the start of the 20th century and accounts for nearly a quarter of the Champagne region. It is a Pinot Noir region mostly used to blend in non-vintage champagnes.
The Aube doesn’t contain any grand cru villages but is the only district in France to make wines under three different appellations – Champagne and two still wines, Rosé des Ricey’s and Coteaux Champenois.
Pictured: Image by romaindekeyser from Pixabay
Planning your trip
Champagne wine events
Join us for a virtual Champagne Tasting on Wednesday 21st October 6-730 pm (sydney time) Taste, have fun and learn about the worlds most famous blends. Be ready for your next celebration.
Register interest below so you don’t miss out.
Habits de Lumiere (December 2021)
The Champenoise celebrate Christmas with a three day street party in Epernay. Each champagne house on the Avenue de Champagne hosts a tent with live music or art, and plenty of tastings, plus a street parade, fireworks and culinary demonstrations.
You can also check the Champagne board’s wine tourism calendar for events all year long.
Want to learn more about Champagne?
Experience Champagne by taking an online course, attending a tasting or travelling to the region for yourself.
Tastings & Events
Join our virtual Champagne wine tasting event on October 21st, 2020 at 6-730pm (Sydney time).
Taste, have fun and learn with experts about these famous blends.
