Champagne (wine region)

Champagne is a wine region in northeastern France, around Reims and Épernay, the only one allowed to claim the Champagne appellation for its sparkling wines. Three grapes dominate: chardonnay, pinot noir and meunier. The wines arise from a second fermentation in the bottle, known as the méthode champenoise or traditional method. Its chalk soils provide drainage and thermal regulation within a demanding northern climate zone.