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Champagne

France

Champagne

ChampagneChampagne

France wine regions

About Champagne

Champagne, the world's most celebrated sparkling wine region, lies at the northern edge of viable viticulture in northeastern France. The unique combination of chalk soils, cool climate, and centuries of winemaking expertise creates wines of unparalleled elegance and complexity. Three grape varieties dominate: Chardonnay brings finesse and aging potential, particularly from the Côte des Blancs; Pinot Noir contributes structure and depth, especially from the Montagne de Reims; and Pinot Meunier adds fruit and accessibility, thriving in the Vallée de la Marne. While most Champagne is non-vintage, blended across years to maintain house style, exceptional years are "declared" as vintage Champagnes, showcasing the character of a single harvest. Prestige cuvées represent the pinnacle, often released a decade or more after harvest. The méthode champenoise—secondary fermentation in bottle—creates the famous bubbles and contributes to the wine's complexity through extended lees aging.

63–283 m

Elevation range

sparklingsparkling roséred

Wine styles

16 Grand Crus

Avg. slope 3°

35 Premier Crus

Avg. slope 2.9°

Vintages

60 · 1990–2024

Rating:
95+
90-94
85-89
80-84
<80
PeakReadyHold
Year20242023202220212020201920182017201620152014201320122011201020092008200720062005200420032002200120001999199819971996199519941993199219911990
Sparkling
Sparkling Rosé
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—

Outstanding Champagne Vintages

The best recent vintages rated excellent or exceptional.

Sparkling

2022

Hold
92Excellent

An exceptional vintage of concentration and character. Hot, dry conditions produced ripe, powerful wines while the chalk subsoil preserved surprising freshness.

2029Peak 2034–20442048

2020

Hold
95Exceptional

An exceptional vintage of power and finesse. Hot, dry summer concentrated the fruit remarkably, yet the wines retain brilliant acidity and mineral drive.

2028Peak 2035–20502055

2019

Almost ready
93Excellent

A rich, generous vintage of immediate appeal. Warm conditions produced ripe, rounded wines with appealing fruit.

2027Peak 2032–20422046

2018

Ready
93Excellent

An excellent vintage of concentration and structure. Despite challenging mildew pressure early on, the hot, dry summer produced wines of remarkable depth.

2026Peak 2032–20442048

2016

Ready
92Excellent

An outstanding vintage of precision and elegance. Cool, extended growing season produced wines of remarkable finesse with crystalline acidity.

2024Peak 2029–20402045

2015

Ready
93Excellent

A rich, ripe vintage of power and generosity. Warm conditions produced concentrated wines with lower acidity than cooler years.

2023Peak 2028–20382042

2012

At peak
94Excellent

A classic Champagne vintage of extraordinary energy and precision. After a challenging season, miraculous harvest conditions delivered wines of impeccable concentration, vibrant acidity, and exquisite mousse.

2020Peak 2025–20352040

2009

At peak
92Excellent

A ripe, generous vintage of immediate appeal. Warm conditions produced rich, rounded wines with softer acidity.

2017Peak 2022–20332038

2008

At peak
96Exceptional

One of the greatest Champagne vintages of the modern era. Cool, long growing season produced wines of extraordinary precision, minerality, and aging potential.

2018Peak 2025–20452050

2006

At peak
91Excellent

An excellent vintage of richness and depth. Warm conditions produced concentrated wines with ripe fruit.

2015Peak 2020–20302035

2004

At peak
92Excellent

An excellent vintage of freshness and elegance. A large, healthy crop produced wines of beautiful balance with lively acidity and fine aromatic intensity.

2013Peak 2018–20272032

2002

At peak
96Exceptional

A legendary vintage of power and precision. Perfect conditions produced wines of extraordinary concentration and complexity.

2012Peak 2020–20382045

Sparkling Rosé

2020

Almost ready
90Excellent

Concentrated rosé wines with excellent Pinot Noir character. Ripe red fruit aromas.

2027Peak 2029–20362038

2018

Ready
91Excellent

Rich, generous rosé wines. Deep colour with ripe strawberry and cherry notes.

2025Peak 2028–20352037

2016

At peak
90Excellent

Excellent balance of fruit and structure. Fine, persistent mousse with delicate rosé character.

2024Peak 2026–20332035

2012

At peak
93Excellent

Exceptional rosé wines with power and finesse. Deep colour, complex red fruit aromas with savoury notes.

2022Peak 2026–20362040

2009

At peak
92Excellent

Rich, opulent rosé wines. Full-bodied with mature red fruit, spice, and brioche.

2019Peak 2022–20322035

2008

At peak
95Exceptional

Magnificent rosé wines. Perfect balance of fruit, acidity, and complexity.

2018Peak 2023–20352038

2004

At peak
90Excellent

Classic, refined rosé wines. Beautiful ageing.

2014Peak 2018–20262028

2002

At peak
94Excellent

Outstanding rosé wines with remarkable depth. Complex, layered, still evolving beautifully.

2012Peak 2018–20302032

Grand Cru & Premier Cru Villages

Classification System

Champagne classifies its villages by grape quality on a percentage scale that historically set grape prices.

Grand Cru

17 top-rated villages (100%)

Premier Cru

42 villages rated 90–99%

Other

Remaining villages

What Champagne produces

Sparkling

Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Meunier. Blanc de Blancs, Blanc de Noirs, and rosé.

Red

Rare still Coteaux Champenois from Bouzy and Cumières. Prized Pinot Noir collectibles.

Rosé

Still rosé exclusively from Les Riceys in the Aube, France's smallest AOC.

Regional appellations

Champagne AOC

The main appellation covering all sparkling wines from the region. Blanc de Blancs, Blanc de Noirs, Rosé, and blends.

Coteaux Champenois AOC

Rare still wines from Champagne. The reds, especially from Bouzy and Cumières, are prized Pinot Noir collectibles.

Rosé des Riceys AOC

France's smallest AOC. Still rosé exclusively from the village of Les Riceys in the Aube. Deeply coloured, savoury, and extremely limited.

Notable producers

Estates that shape how this region tastes.

Krug

Multi-vintage blending mastery, Grande Cuvee

Dom Perignon

Prestige cuvee of Moet & Chandon

Bollinger

Full-bodied, Pinot Noir-driven style

Louis Roederer

Cristal, family-owned, biodynamic

Salon

Single-vintage blanc de blancs, Le Mesnil

Jacques Selosse

Grower revolution, oak-aged, terroir-driven

Egly-Ouriet

Grower, powerful Ambonnay Pinot Noir

Pol Roger

Elegant house style, Cuvee Winston Churchill

Grapes of Champagne

Pinot Noir

Body
Tannins
Sweetness
Acidity
strawberryraspberryred cherryviolet

The backbone of Champagne. Montagne de Reims Pinot brings red fruit, body, and longevity to blends; Aÿ adds southern-exposure depth; on its own it makes Blanc de Noirs.

Chardonnay

Body
Sweetness
Acidity
green applelemonpearnectarine

Chardonnay's quiet leading role: structure, citrus, and chalk minerality from the Côte des Blancs, lifted by years on the lees into brioche and creamy texture.

Champagne Blend

Body
Sweetness
Acidity
green applecitruswhite flowerschalk

The traditional method blueprint. Pinot Noir for body, Chardonnay for citrus and ageability, Meunier for round fruit, all knit together by chalk and brioche from autolysis.

Meunier

Body
Tannins
Sweetness
Acidity
golden appleraspberrybiscuitbrioche

The third Champagne grape, adding fruitiness and early-drinking appeal

Climate

continentalmaritime

Cool continental climate with maritime influences creates long, gentle growing seasons. The marginal conditions stress vines just enough to produce grapes with bright acidity and delicate flavors—perfect for sparkling wine production.

Terroir

diverse soilschalkwell-drainedlimestone

Built on a foundation of ancient chalk and limestone soils that provide excellent drainage while retaining moisture. The porous chalk reflects sunlight back to ripening grapes and creates vast underground cellars perfect for aging. Rolling hills and varied exposures create distinct sub-regions, each contributing unique characteristics to final blends.

Typical Aromas

briochegreen applecitrus zestwhite flowerschalktoasted almonds
Explore the aroma wheel

More in France

Alsace

Alsace

Beaujolais

Beaujolais

Bordeaux

Bordeaux

Burgundy

Burgundy

Corsica

Corsica

Jura

Jura

Languedoc-Roussillon

Languedoc-Roussillon

Loire Valley

Loire Valley

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Champagne wine special?▼
Champagne is special because it's made in the world's most northerly wine region with unique chalk soils and a cool climate that creates incredible elegance. The traditional méthode champenoise process, where the second fermentation happens in the bottle, creates those fine, persistent bubbles. Plus, centuries of winemaking expertise in this specific region of northeastern France has perfected the art of blending Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Meunier into wines of unmatched complexity.
What are the best Champagne vintages?▼
The standout recent vintages are 2022 and 2020, both rated 5/5 for their exceptional concentration and character. 2022 benefited from hot, dry conditions, while 2020 combined power with finesse thanks to a hot, dry summer. 2018, 2015, and 2014 are also excellent choices, all rated 4/5, with 2014 being a classic vintage saved by an Indian summer.
What grapes are grown in Champagne?▼
The three main grapes in Champagne are Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Meunier. Pinot Noir brings structure and body, Chardonnay adds elegance and finesse, while Pinot Meunier contributes fruitiness and approachability. Most Champagnes are blends of these three, though you'll also find single-varietal bottles like Blanc de Blancs (100% Chardonnay) and Blanc de Noirs (Pinot Noir and/or Pinot Meunier).
Is 2022 a good year for Champagne?▼
2022 is an exceptional year for Champagne, rated 5/5. The hot, dry conditions that year produced wines with outstanding concentration and character. It's one of the top-rated recent vintages alongside 2020, so if you see 2022 vintage Champagne, it's definitely worth investing in.
When should I drink Champagne 2022?▼
While 2022 Champagnes are drinking beautifully now, the best vintage Champagnes typically benefit from 5-10 years of aging to develop their full complexity. Given that 2022 was such an exceptional year with great concentration, these wines should age gracefully and be at their peak around 2030-2035. That said, if you can't wait, they're already showing wonderfully!
What food pairs well with Champagne wines?▼
Champagne is incredibly food-friendly thanks to its acidity and bubbles. Classic pairings include oysters, caviar, and smoked salmon, but it also works beautifully with fried foods like tempura or fish and chips. The bubbles cut through rich, creamy dishes, and it's fantastic with aged cheeses, roasted chicken, or even sushi. Don't overlook it with desserts either - demi-sec Champagne pairs wonderfully with fruit tarts.
How does Champagne compare to Prosecco?▼
Champagne and Prosecco are completely different styles of sparkling wine. Champagne uses the traditional method with second fermentation in bottle, creating finer bubbles and more complex flavors, while Prosecco uses the tank method and is typically fresher and fruitier. Champagne comes from cool-climate France using Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Meunier, while Prosecco is from Italy's Veneto region using mainly Glera grapes. Champagne generally ages longer and costs more, but both have their place!

Map data: INAO