THE CHAMPAGNE REGION

Champagne is exclusive to France. No other Country can use this term.
Non-vintage is made by blending juice from different years, whilst vintage champagne is produced exclusively from a single years harvest. Of the three permitted cepages, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay two are red. Carefully controlled pressing produces a white must that is separated from the grape skins. The expression blanc de blancs designates a champagne made exclusively from Chardonnay.

These as expected give a wide range of tastes. Chardonnay from the Northern sites adds zest and liveliness whilst in the South you get a creamy, honeyed roundness.

Main Grape Varieties

Grapes
Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier account for just under three quarters of all champagne grapes whilst Chardonnay accounts for a little over one quarter of the vineyards.