Wines by Region / Champagne / Grand Cru Villages of Champagne
Grand Cru Villages of ChampagneGrand Cru Villages of Champagne
Départment: Marne Unlike Burgundy, where certain vineyards are rated according to their quality, the classification in the Champagne region is rated by villages. Established at the end of the 19th century, the ratings are expressed from 80% to 100%. The 100% wines are considered to offer the highest qualitative potential, taking into account the quality of the soil, the nature of the subsoils and the micro-climate. Only 17 villages are rated 100%, known as grand cru villages. Here's a brief look at some of them: Côte des Blancs Grand Cru Villages |
Champagne's Grand Cru Villages
Ambonnay Avize Aÿ Beaumont-sur-Vesle Bouzy Chouilly Cramant Louvois Mailly Champagne Le Mesnil-sur-Oger Oger Oiry Puisieulx Sillery Tours-sur-Marne Verzy |
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Cramant
Literally meaning chalk mount, Cramant is situated to the south of Épernay on the renowned slopes of the Côtes des Blancs. Its terroir of chalky sediment ensures excellent drainage and plays an important role in regulating temperature. Its white color reflects light and heat, contributing to the full maturation of the grapes.
Avize
Squeezed between Cramant to the north and Oger to the south, the vineyards of Avize stretch in a straight line for less than 2 kilometers. The vineyards face east and southeast along the gentle slope of the Côte de Blancs.
The subsoil consists entirely of Belemnite chalk (derived from an accumulation of cuttlefish fossils) that is particularly deep on the slopes. In contrast to Cramant, however, which is sheltered by a hill, Avize gets the full blast of the prevailing winds that can be cold and wet in bad years.
Literally meaning chalk mount, Cramant is situated to the south of Épernay on the renowned slopes of the Côtes des Blancs. Its terroir of chalky sediment ensures excellent drainage and plays an important role in regulating temperature. Its white color reflects light and heat, contributing to the full maturation of the grapes.
Avize
Squeezed between Cramant to the north and Oger to the south, the vineyards of Avize stretch in a straight line for less than 2 kilometers. The vineyards face east and southeast along the gentle slope of the Côte de Blancs.
The subsoil consists entirely of Belemnite chalk (derived from an accumulation of cuttlefish fossils) that is particularly deep on the slopes. In contrast to Cramant, however, which is sheltered by a hill, Avize gets the full blast of the prevailing winds that can be cold and wet in bad years.
Vineyard in Le Mesnil
Le Mesnil-sur-Oger Le Mesnil-sur-Oger is considered by many to be the top grand cru village in the Côtes de Blancs, if not Champagne. The vineyards are most famous for Champagne Salon as well as the famed Clos de Mesnil of Krug. Montagne de Reims Grand Cru Villages Bouzy Bouzy is perhaps the most revered grand cru village in the Montagne de Reims. Known for its Pinot Noir, Bouzy enjoys a perfect exposition to the southeast. This helps its red grape ripen fully and develop rich, complex flavors. Bouzy Rouge is released under the Coteaux Champenois appellation. Ambonnay Ambonnay was a thriving town in the Middle Ages and was erected on the spot of a Gallo-Roman villa. At the beginning of the 11th century, Templar monks built a church in the center of town, a beautiful example of Roman architecture gradually modified with Gothic touches over the years. Ambonnay is one of the most sought after sites for Pinot Noir in the Montagne de Reims. Its chalky soils are covered by a thin layer of mixed clay and limestone, ideal for the fruity and vinous qualities of Pinot destined for a secondary fermentation in bottle. At 130 meters above sea level, the grapes are normally protected from spring frosts. |
Champagne Growers with Vineyards in Grand Cru Villages
Champagne Henriet Bazin Villers-Marmery, Verzy et Verzenay Champagne Ruelle-Pertois Côte des Blancs, Vallée de la Marne Champagne Lancelot-Pienne Côte des Blancs Champagne Voirin-Jumel Côte des Blancs, Vallée de la Marne Champagne Pierre Moncuit Côte des Blancs Champagne Eric Rodez Montagne de Reims Benoit Lahaye Montagne de Reims De Sousa Champagne Côte des Blancs, Vallée de la Marne, Montagne de Reims (Also Côte des Bar) |