Champagne is first of all a place, located east of Paris. The wine of Champagne is produced in over 300 villages of the region, where approximately 85,000 acres are planted.
It is located on the edge of a geological formation known as the Paris Basin, where an inland sea deposited the deep layers of chalk that form the regions subsoil. This Chalk is important because it retains adequate water while draining freely, causing roots to grow deeply in search of water. It also provides nutrients that help the vines grow.
Two types predominate, Belimnita quadrata and Micraster. Most of the villages are located on Belimnita, which gives finer, more concentrated fruit with a distinct minerality
 The Climate is continental, which means fairly cold winters and cool summers. Technically, the region lies beyond the northern limit of wine grape cultivation. For this reason, it is difficult to ripen grapes effectively every year, which is why the system of blending a non-vintage Cuvee developed.
 The heart of the district includes the Montagne de Reims (a hill to the south of the city of Reims), the Marne Valley (along the banks of the river to the west), and the Côte des Blancs south of Epernay, all included in the Marne department.
Much of the Pinot Noir is grown on hills in the Montagne region with its east/southeast facing hills. Further south in the Côte des Blancs, Chardonnay does well in the east/northeast facing vineyards, and Pinot Meunier is grown on hillsides that face south in the Marne Valley. The way the hills face the Aspect is important because it helps define the amount of sunshine that a vineyard will receive.
Other subregions include the Côte de Sezanne south of the Côte des Blancs, and the Côte des Bars, in the Aube department, between Bar-sur-Seine and Bar-sur-Aube
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Wine Regions of the World
