The Champagne region is located in north-eastern France and is world-renowned for its quality sparkling wines. It covers an area of approximately 34,000 hectares on which both prestigious champagne houses and small producers coexist . The Champagne region is divided into five sub-regions which are La Montagne de Reims, La Vallée de la Marne, Côte des Blancs, Côte de Sézanne, and Aube. Even if they all produce excellent champagnes, La Montagne de Reims and La Vallée de la Marne stand out from the others. Here’s why!
La Montagne de Reims
La Montagne de Reims is where some of the best bottles of champagne in the word come from. You can discover Krug : Grande Cuvée 171th Edition and buy it on Millesima if you want to taste the greatness of this region. As a matter of fact, La Montagne de Reims is home to more Grand Cru villages than the other Champagne sub-regions. The main reason is that it has ideal grape-growing conditions. In other words, it enjoys a cool climate, which is perfect for growing grapes that are used in champagne production. The long growing season ensures that the grapes have enough time to ripen fully, resulting in high-quality wine.
© copyright Krug
Moreover, the chalky soil of La Montagne de Reims is a key factor in producing tremendous champagne. The region’s soil is composed of a type of sedimentary rock called chalk which is rich in calcium carbonate. It is unique to the Champagne region and is a crucial element in the production of its famous sparkling wine like the Krug Grande Cuvée. The chalky soil of La Montagne de Reims gives its champagnes a typical character. The soil imparts mineral flavours and acidity to the wine which is highly sought after by champagne connoisseurs.
La Montagne de Reims has been producing champagne for centuries and it has a rich history that is reflected in the quality of its wine. The region has some of the oldest and most prestigious champagne houses in the world such as Krug, Bollinger, Louis Roederer, Taittinger and Pol Roger.
La Vallée de la Marne
La Vallée de la Marne is also one of the major Champagne regions and is known for producing some of the world’s most renowned champagnes. Its unique microclimate and terroir contribute to the distinct flavour profile of its wines. The region has a cooler climate and the vineyards are planted on steep slopes that allow for excellent drainage. The valley also has a high proportion of clay and limestone soils which are perfect for producing high-quality grapes.
The majority of the vineyards in the Marne Valley are planted with Pinot Meunier, a grape variety that is particularly well suited to the region’s terroir. Pinot Meunier possesses a distinctive flavour profile that adds complexity to the wines and it is known for producing champagnes with great aging potential. Many of the top Champagne houses have vineyards in La Vallée de la Marne and they are able to use their expertise and resources to produce exceptional wines. The region has a long history of winemaking and the local producers have a deep understanding of the land and the grapes.
Disclosure: This is a featured post. Image used with permission via Millesima copyright Krug.