3 - Champagne - Loire

WVINT 102 - 3.
WINE VINTAGES
WINE REGIONS OF CHAMPAGNE AND LOIRE
CHAMPAGNE
WVINT 102 - 3.WINE VINTAGES
LOCATION
The Champagne wine region is

located on Frances
Northeastern part, just 121 km
from Paris. This region
produces the famous sparkling
wines usually just called by the
name Champagne
GRAPE VARIETIES
Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and

Chardonnay
are the primary grape varieties used to make
Champagne – a recipe used for sparkling
wines across the world.
Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Petit Meslier and

Arbane are also permitted in Champagne but
with very little use
WINES
The first wines produced in Champagne – more than a thousand years

ago now – were unlike those we know today. They were typically
pink-hued still wines made mostly from black-skinned grapes
Blanc de Noirs (made from black-skinned grapes), Blanc de

Blancs (made from green-skinned grapes) or just plain Blanc
(made from any combination of the permitted varieties). Pink
Champagne Rosé is made either by adding red wine to a white
blend or sometimes by fermenting the juice in contact with the
skins
(Wine searcher 2022)

TERROIR
CLIMATE
Located at the most northerly limits of vine cultivation,

Champagne comes under the influence of a dual climate, both
oceanic and continental
The continental influence ensures ideal levels of sunlight in summer.
The oceanic influence brings steady rainfall, with no significant variations in annual
temperatures.
This dual influence offers a guarantee of steady, yet moderate precipitation,
providing the region with near-ideal rainfall which is essential for the quality of the
grapes. Average annual temperature of 11 degrees
TERROIR
This famous chalk is distinct from the limestone soils of other French wine
SOIL regions, being much ﬁner-grained and more porous. This looser structure means
that its mineral content is more readily absorbed by the vine roots, and it also
provides excellent drainage – avoiding the risks of waterlogging. A further
beneﬁt is that this permeability allows access to the water resources far below,
promoting strong root development and ensuring a continuous water supply
(Wine searcher 2022)
The Champagne vineyards are planted at altitudes ranging between 90 and

300 metres
TERROIR
PRODUCTION
● The production process for Champagne is similar to that for other wines,
but includes an additional (and vital) stage, during which a second
fermentation is started in the bottle by the addition of yeast and sugars. It
is this that generates the carbon dioxide bubbles responsible for the pop
and sparkle that are the symbols of Champagne
● All Champagne must spend at least 12 months aging on its lees
● Non-vintage Champagnes must mature in bottle for a minimum of 15 months in total

before release
● In years of exceptional quality, however, many houses release a vintage Champagne

(millesimé in French) made exclusively from grapes harvested in the stated year
LOIRE
LOCATION
The Loire Valley lies to the South

West of Paris and makes up the
"Centre" region of France. The Loire,
France's longest river (1,020 km) runs
from the Massif Central to the Atlantic
coast, and provides what many regard
as a north-south climatic divide
GRAPE VARIETIES
WHITE
Sauvignon Blanc - Central Vineyards and

Touraine
Chenin Blanc - Touraine and Anjou Saumur
Melon Blanc - Nantes
RED
Cabernet Franc - Touraine

Gamay - Touraine and Anjou Saumur
WINE
Sauvignon blanc produces wines high in acidity
with hints of green apple and minerality
Chenin Blanc produces wines with high acidity

and non aromatic. These wines can be from dry
to sweet and still or sparkling
Melon Blanc produces wines of high acidity,

light body and green fruits flowers
Cabernet Franc produces light fruity wines to

fuller body
TERROIR
CLIMATE
Overall the climate is

cool, but the Central Vineyards, which are well
inland,
have a continental climate whereas the
Nantais region,
with its coastal location, experiences a
maritime climate.
TERROIR
SOIL
In Saumur and Touraine (as well as
other parts of the Loire Valley)
predominantly chalky limestone soil is
found. In the east, flinty silex soils
made from clay, limestone, and
silica are most prominent, which give
the wines of Sancerre and
Pouilly-Fumé their signature stony
flavors.
TERROIR
PRODUCTION
60% of wine production is organic
Keep promoting biodiversity in the vineyards
Some ageing even though many wines are

consumed young
Sur lie (ageing wine in contact with lees)

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WVINT 102 - 3.

The Champagne wine region is

Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and

Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Petit Meslier and

The first wines produced in Champagne – more than a thousand years

Blanc de Noirs (made from black-skinned grapes), Blanc de

(Wine searcher 2022)

Located at the most northerly limits of vine cultivation,

(Wine searcher 2022)

The Champagne vineyards are planted at altitudes ranging between 90 and

● All Champagne must spend at least 12 months aging on its lees

● Non-vintage Champagnes must mature in bottle for a minimum of 15 months in total

● In years of exceptional quality, however, many houses release a vintage Champagne

The Loire Valley lies to the South

Sauvignon Blanc - Central Vineyards and

Cabernet Franc - Touraine

Chenin Blanc produces wines with high acidity

Melon Blanc produces wines of high acidity,

Cabernet Franc produces light fruity wines to

Overall the climate is

Keep promoting biodiversity in the vineyards

Some ageing even though many wines are

Sur lie (ageing wine in contact with lees)

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