- This region is 145 Km, East of Paris and is the most northerly vineyard of France.
- It is situated on a base of belemnite chalk, which has a very small layer of soil on top.
- The chalk base is the main reason why the region is quite suitable for production of Champagne.
- Champagne region is divided into five areas:
- Moutagne de reims – mostly black grapes are grown.
- Valle de la Marne – mostly black grapes are grown.
- Cote des blancs – white grapes
- Cote de sezanne – white grapes
- Aube
- The region is famous for white wine, champagne (sparkling wine)
- Chardonnay is the only grape variety used for making champagne.
- Grape varieties:
- Pinot noir – black/red
- Pinot meunier – black/red
- Chardonnay – white
- Methods of making sparkling wine:
- La method champenoise (the champagne method)
- Cuve close or charmat process or tank method
- Transversage method or the transfer method
- Carbonation method
- There are two categories of all methods:
- Natural – 1st three methods use this category, sparkling wine is produced with natural method not extra carbon dioxide gas is injected.
- Artificial – carbonation is artificial, carbon dioxide gas being injected into vat then bottled under pressure.