The region of Champagne-Ardenne is located in north-eastern France, along the river Marne. It has 4 departments over a total area of 25,606 km2: the Marne, Aube, Haute Marne and the Ardennes. There are over 1,334,000 inhabitants.
This is the region where the renowned champagne and still wines like Coteaux Champenois AOC Rosé Riceys are produced over an area of over 35,000 hectares. The cultivation of vines is done primarily in the department of Marne in three distinct areas: Côte des Blancs, Vallee de la Marne and Montagne de Reims, but you can also find vineyards in the Aube, located between the Aube and Haute-Marne.
Map of the Champagne vineyards
The History of Champagne:
Champagne is a former wine region in France. Romans settled here and quickly planted and grew vines.
In the Middle Ages, the church paid particular attention to the vineyard because was a source of potential wealth and revenue. It thus pursued the vines, and soon the wines of the region became similar to wines (vin de france) that were produced in France at that time throughout the Paris Basin. The wine region suddenly acquired a noble status when the first king of the Franks, Clovis was baptized in Reims, Champagne, marking the beginning of a long tradition within the French monarchy.
Subsequently, the vins de Champagne "were discovered at banquets / royal ceremonies under the reign of Henry IV. This was the first time they fell under this designation.
However, at this time, champagne was still producing vins tranquil or ‘still’ wines, not sparkling, and they aged badly. The revolution occured in the seventeenth century, when growers decided to bottle their wines quickly, to try and solve the aging problem. They quickly discovered that they became naturally sparkling. The first champagne was born!
at this time a monk called Dom Perignon was the first to address this new mechanism. He practiced this natural phenomenon with a blend of red grapes and white, substantially improving the quality of wine.
In the eighteenth century, the reputation of Champagne peaked with the famous promoters: Philippe Clicquot and his widow, Claude Moet, Bollinger Mr. and Mrs. ... since then champagne has enjoyed worldwide success.
In 1887, in order to protect the name, the word "Champagne" was reserved exclusively to wines from the region.
- Finally, despite a difficult beginning in the twentieth century,which was marked by the phylloxera which devastated the vines, the vineyards of Champagne prosper today. As always the Champagne region produces its famous Vin de Champagne, but also more traditional wines, not sparkling known as "nature" which have existed since reign of the great kings. These are the Coteaux Champenois AOC or the Rose Riceys.
Key figures from Champagne:
- 35,000 acres
- Total production of 322 million bottles of wine
- 181 million bottles sold in France
- Share of 44% to export 141 million bottles
- More than 15,000 growers, cooperatives 65
- Turnover: 4.4 billion euros, 2.2 billion in export
Climate and nature of soils in Champagne:
Climate
The climate is oceanic in Champagne.
Winter: generally moderate and cooler
Summer and Fall: sunny, dry, with average temperatures generally below 23 ° C
The average annual temperature in Champagne is 10 ° C.
This freshness is crucial to the quality of Champagne wines: there must be some grapes rich in sugar and with a solid acidity to maintain balance in the finished wines.
Soil
The predominance of chalk is a characteristic of Champagne. It stores heat during the summer and passes it on to the roots, while maintaining sufficient moisture. Indeed, the chalk absorbs water throughout the winter and then redistributes it over the summer.
Wine making in Champagne:
Different varieties
After the Act of 1927, three main varieties are permitted:
White Grape
Chardonnay: planted mainly in the Cote des Blancs area which constitutes 96% of the plantings.
Red Grape
Pinot noir: it has a majority in the Montagne de Reims, where we find grown to 56%.
Pinot Meunier: it is found in the valley of the Marne.
Appellations of Origin of Champagne:
1. Champagne appellation of origin, comprising:
Vintage Champagne AOC
(White white, black or white grape assembly).
The varieties are: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir or Pinot Meunier.
Champagne AOC whites white
The varietal is Chardonnay.
Champagne AOC White blacks
The grapes are Pinot Noir or Pinot Meunier.
AOC Champagne Special Cuvée Prestige
A blend of 75% white black
Pink Champagne AOC
The grapes are Pinot Noir or Pinot Meunier.
Champagne AOC rough assembly non-vintage
The varieties are: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier.
- Champagne Brut or Extra Dry
Contains 1-2% sugar
- Dry Champagne or Dry
Contains 3-5% sugar
- Sweet Champagne
Contains 11-15% sugar
- Champagne Grand Cru 100%
Wines made from grapes that have been rated at 100%.
Cremant
Type of wine: The same process as champagne, but sparkling wines less, less sparkling (low gas pressure).
Summary of AOC Champagne
The type of wine: sparkling, sparkling
Maximum Yield: 50 hl / ha
Grapes: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir or Pinot Meunier.
2. Coteaux Champenois (AOC red, white, pink)
Type of wine: red, white or pink quiet dry
Maximum Yield: 50 hl / ha
Grape varieties: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir or Pinot Meunier.
3. Rose Riceys (AOC Rosé)
Type of wine: pink peace
Maximum Yield: 50 hl / ha
Grape varieties: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir Pinot Meunier.
THE CRUS OF CHAMPAGNE
In 1920, each municipality was classified according to the quality of wine produced. Depending on their classification, the grapes produced in the communes were paid at different prices, which vary according to a fixed coefficient, corresponding to this classification. Thus, the common "grands crus" are those who received the figures were 100%. The grapes they produce are paying 100% of the price fixed for the year. There are also two other sub-categories according to the coefficient assigned.
The Grands Crus
only 17 municipalities receive this designation, an area of 4000 hectares, 100% coefficient.
Premiers Crus
only 44 municipalities receive this designation, an area of 5000 hectares, coefficient between 90% and 99%.
Champagnes without Crus
255 municipalities receive this designation, on a total area of 21,000 hectares coefficient between 80% and 89%.
AGENDA: Desire for champagne?
Rendez-vous for lovers of Champagne in the vineyards!
If you want champagne do not miss the Festival of Wine and champagne, which takes place every year during the ascention.
Visitors flock from around the world for four days to meet the winemakers and discover the wines.