Translation missing: en.CHAMPAGNE: CHAMPAGNE

Champagne is a region that needs no introduction. It is the gold-standard of sparkling wine in the world. Champagne is what one drinks in both success and defeat. Many people don’t realise how broad the wines from Champagne can be - there are hundreds of recognised villages across 5 main sub-regions and a variety of approaches to farming and making wine. There is something in Champagne for everyone.

LOCATION:
The region of Champagne is located in the northeast of France, 160km east of Paris. The viticultural boundaries of Champagne are legally defined and split into five wine producing districts within the administrative province - the Aube, Côte des Blancs, Côte de Sezanne, Montagne de Reims, and Vallee de la Marne. The towns of Reims and Épernay are the commercial centers of the area. Champagne’s close proximity to Paris helped establish its economic success in trade but also led to issues during war time as armies would march through the region on the way to Paris.

TERROIR:
Champagne has a cool continental climate located at 49 degrees latitude - towards the upper limit where grapes can successfully ripen, with temperatures that are moderated by surrounding forests. The cold temperature and high rainfall means that growers must be cautious of pressure from disease and spring frost. The soils of Champagne are the famous chalk-based soils (Aube is an exception being clay-dominant) left behind by ancient oceans 70 million years ago. Earthquakes have brought sediment from belemnite fossils to the surface as well which aids in retaining heat throughout the cold nights and has great drainage. 

VARIETIES:
The 3 primary grape varieties here in Champagne are: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Meunier. Chardonnay grows best in Côte des Blancs and Côte de Sezanne, Pinot Noir in Aube and Montagne de Reims and Meunier in Vallee de la Marne, although there can be exceptions. Chardonnay usually brings a higher acid backbone and leanness to a blend, Pinot Noir brings body and Meunier can bring youthful exuberance. 

PRODUCERS:
Gosset, Agrapart , Egly-Ouriet, Vouette et Sorbée,Suenen, Dhondt-Grellet, Georges Laval, Frederic Savart, Dom Perignon, Krug, Louis Roederer, Salon, Jacques Selosse