Champagne wine course

Celebrated with the world over, there’s only one. Made from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Menieur. Single varieties and blends.

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Description

Description

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.

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

Habits de Lumiere (December)

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.