Inside Champagne: sub-regions and “ladders of growth”
In the first part of our series on Champagne and the traditional method, Westgarth Wines wine specialist Maurizio Broggi delves into Champagne’s five sub-regions and different “ladders of growth”.
The Champagne region holds a historic position as the first area to produce sparkling wine on a significant scale, with its name becoming synonymous with the highest quality sparkling wines. Widely considered the most prestigious sparkling wine globally, Champagne has set the benchmark for traditional method sparkling wine production. Its esteemed reputation has led producers in other regions to emulate its practices, often using the same grape varieties and winemaking techniques to achieve a similar quality and style.
The main Champagne sub-regions
Geographically, Champagne is divided into five distinct subregions, each with its own unique character and specialty. While the overall climate is relatively uniform across the region, variations in soil composition and sun exposure make certain areas more suitable for growing specific grape varieties, such as Pinot Noir or Meunier, while others are better suited for Chardonnay.
The Montagne de Reims is a broad, flat plateau that surrounds the region's capital, Reims. This subregion is renowned for its black grapes, most notably Pinot Noir, grown in the chalky soils of the Grand Cru villages of Mailly, Verzenay, Verzy, Ambonnay, and Bouzy. Wines from this area are characterized by high acidity and power, with a combination of richness, minerality, and intense red fruit flavors. While the region is best known for its black grape production, it also has notable plantings of Chardonnay.
Vallée de la Marne is located to the west of Epernay and is primarily known for its Meunier plantings, which thrive in clay, marl, and sandy soils, producing fruity wines. Chardonnay is also cultivated here. Aÿ is a reputed Grand Cru village situated within this subregion. Interestingly, the historic Abbey of Hautvillers, where the legendary Dom Pérignon once worked, is situated in the Vallée de la Marne.
The Côte des Blancs is a subregion that extends southward from Épernay. The vineyards face east, and the soil here consists of pure chalk, which provides an optimal balance between water retention and drainage — conditions ideal for vine growth. The Grand Cru villages of Cramant, Avize, Oger, and Le Mesnil-sur-Oger are renowned for their unique expression of Chardonnay, characterized by pronounced minerality and excellent aging potential.
The Côte de Sézanne is an extension of the Côte des Blancs, primarily planted with Chardonnay on warmer, southeast-facing slopes. The vineyards are set on soils composed of chalk, clay, and silex, which contribute to the production of fruitier, denser wines. However, the overall quality is generally regarded as lower than that of the northern subregions. To the south, the extensive Côte des Bar is a key source of Pinot Noir. The Kimmeridgian calcareous marls and stony limestone soils, known for their excellent drainage, create ideal conditions for the grape variety to ripen effectively.
Ladders of growth
In the early 20th century, the vineyard area of Champagne was legally defined, and the concept of the ‘Échelle des Crus’ (‘ladder of growths’) was introduced to recognize the distinct terroirs within the expansive Champagne region.
Villages and their vineyards were ranked on a scale from 80% to 100%. The top villages, rated 100%, were classified as Grand Cru, with 17 villages holding this designation. Villages rated 90-99% were classified as Premier Cru, with 42 villages receiving this status.
This rating system determined grape prices based on the quality of grapes from each village, rather than individual vineyards. The 17 Grand Cru villages commanded the highest prices, followed by the 42 Premier Cru villages, which fetched higher prices than the remaining non-cru villages.
While this system is no longer used to set grape prices (which are now determined by the market and individual contracts), the classification of grand cru and premier cru villages remains in place. The term 'Grand Cru' indicates that all grapes used in the Champagne are sourced from villages officially designated as grand cru. Similarly, the term 'Premier Cru' signifies that the grapes are sourced from villages classified as premier cru.
Stay tuned for Part II which looks at Champagne grapes and harvest times.
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