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    Champagne

    France

    A northern vineyard on chalk that drinks like a sponge, and the home of the traditional method.

    30–50° N30–50° SequatorChampagne
    Vineyard area
    34 200 ha (2025)1
    Country
    France
    Rocks in the profile
    topsoil, chalk

    Chalk

    Three quarters of Champagne's sedimentary outcrops are limestone in the broad sense: chalk, marl and limestone proper.2 The chalk is highly porous and holds 300 to 400 litres of water per cubic metre.2

    Growers distinguish two chalks. Belemnite chalk lies beneath the best premier and grand cru vineyards, Micraster chalk under the gentler southern slopes.3

    topsoilchalksouth, southeast, east
    Schematic profile based on the sources, not to scale.

    Slopes

    The average vineyard gradient is 12%, with some slopes reaching 59%. Most vineyards face south, southeast or east.4 The climate is double, with continental and oceanic influences, and the mean annual temperature is 11 °C.5

    Grapes

    Pinot Noir covers 38% of the vineyard, Chardonnay 31% and Meunier 31%. Five minor varieties together may not exceed 0.3%.6

    Time on the lees

    Non-vintage Champagne must age at least 15 months from bottling, vintage Champagne at least 36 months.7 How the bubbles get into the bottle is told on the traditional method page.

    Timeline

    1. 1936

      Decree recognising the Champagne AOC.8

    2. 1941

      The Comité interprofessionnel du vin de Champagne is founded.9

    Grapes

    Soils

    Sources

    1. Champagne at a glance — Key figures of the Champagne industry in 2025. Comité Champagne, 2026. level 4 · checked 2026-10-13
    2. Champagne and its soil. Comité Champagne. level 4 · checked 2026-10-13
    3. Geology, pedology and tasting. Champagne Larmandier-Bernier (winery). level 4 · checked 2026-10-13
    4. Champagne and its topography. Comité Champagne. level 4 · checked 2026-10-13
    5. Champagne and its climate. Comité Champagne. level 4 · checked 2026-10-13
    6. Champagne and its grape varieties. Comité Champagne. level 4 · checked 2026-10-13
    7. Cahier des charges de l'appellation d'origine contrôlée « Champagne » (version modifiée approuvée par le comité national le 11/09/2024, procédure nationale d'opposition). INAO, 2024. level 1 · checked 2026-10-13
    8. Fiche — AOC Champagne (FR). Comité Champagne (champagne.education), 2026. level 4 · checked 2026-10-13
    9. Champagne and its history. Comité Champagne. level 4 · checked 2026-10-13