The Champagne Region of France

The Champagne wine region is located in the northeast of France, and is best known for the production of the sparkling white wine that bears the region's name. The cool temperatures (mean annual temperature of 10°C) serve to produce high levels of acidity in the resulting grape which is ideal for sparkling wine.

The viticultural boundaries of Champagne are legally defined and split into 5 wine producing districts within the administrative province:

1. The Montagne de Reims - the most northerly area. This area is planted mainly with Pinot Noir on north facing slopes, and produces firm and austere wines, with a high level of acidity.

2. The Côte des Blancs - a mainly east-facing region, south of Epernay. The area is almost entirely planted with Chardonnay, and produces a much less austere wine than the Montagne de Reims. In the very south of this region, there is a small amount of Pinot Noir planted. The Côte des Blancs grapes are known for their finesse and the freshness they add to blends.

3. The Vallée de la Marne area runs west-east, and is planted with all three grape varieties; however, the Pinot Meunier dominates. The abundance of southern facing slopes in the Vallée de la Marne produces the ripest wines with full aroma.

4. Further to the south lays Côte des Sézanne, which is primarily Chardonnay country.

5. The Aube is the southernmost, and warmest, of all the regions, and is planted mainly with Pinot Noir.