Located just 150 km east of Paris, Champagne is one of the most recognisable names in the world of fine wine
unlike other regions that are often made up of multiple Appellations,
The whole of champagne is considered as just one single appellation
This means that producers are only required to state champagne on the label regardless of where the grapes are sourced from within the region
However, there are five different sub regions of champagne all of which are known for their unique terroir,
characteristic, and most importantly which grapes thrive there
Starting in the north in the city of Reims and the capital of Champagne. We find the aptly named Montagne De Reims.
Here you will find the great Notre-dam De Reims, as well as a number of the major Champagne houses such as Veuve Clicqot, Pommery,
Ruinart, and Charles Heidsieck
This sub region is comprised of picturesque rolling hills
Which conceal a deep bed of chalk the perfect soil for producing the best sparkling wines in the world.
Montagne de Reims also lays claim to an incredible 10 of the 17 Grand Cru villages in all of champagne making it arguably the most famous
Sub-region. Pinot noir is by far the most predominant grape variety here producing powerful wines with excellent structure and depth
Just south of Montagne de Reims, is the Velee De La Marne, known primarily for producing Pinot Meunier
to the east are some of Champagnes best pinot noir villages
The only Grand Cru in this sub region the village of Ay, is its crown jewel
So typically dealing Ay we are going to be in the kind of Kingdom of Noir,
that's going to be the main vehicle that is grown in in the village and
The Pinot Noir is going to play a major role in providing
Structure, body, flesh and is kind of voluptuous Janeiro's profile. So it has a lot to do with the texture
Less than five kilometers south of Ay is the town of Epernay, which marks the start of the Cote des Blanc sub-region
Epernay is one of the biggest attractions in the region known for his Avenue de Champagne, with Perrier-Jouet, Paul Roger and not least Moet Chandon
being amongst the residents. As the name suggests the Cote de Blanc is known for its chalky soils which produced almost
Exclusively chardonnay if we go a bit much further south on the other side of the hill
We are going to enter in the kind of kingdom of Chardonnay, the very famous Cote des blanc.
And here the Chardonnay is going to play quite a different role. It's going to be a much tighter on the tension on the zesty
crispy profile of acidity
It is also home to the remaining six Grand Cru villages of champagne which include Cramant and Avize.
Further south is the Cote de Sezanne,, which is similar to the Cote de Blanc in its soil and primary production of Chardonnay
However, being further south and with a marginally warmer climate the wines produced here have slightly less acidity and tend to be more aromatic
Finally we have the Cote des Bar
Otherwise known as Aube
Interestingly this sub region has somewhat of an outlier from the rest of Champagne and actually sits closer to Chablis part of the Burgundy region
Aube was once excluded from the Champagne region in the early 20th century which resulted in protests and almost riots from farmers
However, it was reinstated and fully recognized as one of the five sub regions in 1927
Although you won't always find the names of these five sub regions on a champagne label. They all have their own unique traits and characteristics
It is still possible to find champagnes produced exclusively from one sub region or even one particular village such as Ay
However in Champagne more than perhaps any other region in the world blending place such a vital factor
Most producers will blend from dozens of different
Villages across all of the sub regions to achieve the right balance and unique style in their wines