The Mountain of Reims is an extension of the chalk subsoil which comes to the surface at Calais and also forms the White Cliffs of Dover on the opposite side of the English Channel. The Romans created huge underground caverns in the chalk around Reims and Epernay which today, are used to store Champagne. At any one time, there will be more than 990 million bottles gently ageing in the constant temperature and humidity of the caverns.
But the region is not just the home of Champagne. It also produces vast quantities of cereals and maize, some of which is exported to other EU countries. Sugar beet is a major crop and the smell from the working refineries can sometimes be somewhat overpowering and is certainly not for the faint hearted!
The maize and cereals are produced to the south of the region, on rolling ‘prairies’ between Reims/Epernay and Troyes. North of Reims, towards the Belgian border, the landscape becomes a flat chalky plain which can be quite inhospitable during the wet, cold and windy winters. Closer to the border, the scenery changes again to forest.
The Champagne region's vineyards stretch from around Chateau-Thierry, in the west, to Reims, then south around the Montagne de Reims (Mountain of Reims) to Epernay and onward to Sézanne. It is unique in having an entirely separate region a further 75kms to the Southeast beyond Troyes. The vineyards of Vignoble de L'Aube (Vineyard of the Aube) follow the banks of the river Seine between Mussy-sur-seine and Bar-s-Seine, and the river Aube around Bar-s-Aube.
Troyes has been an important centre since Gallo Roman times. The Cathedral of St-Peter and St-Paul at Troyes was built over 400 years and it is still not finished.
The weather is remarkably temperate close to Reims and Epernay but it has a moist feel early morning and in the evenings. Fog and rain is not uncommon. It is this climate coupled with the soil structure which is responsible for the wonderful and unique wines produced in Champagne.
Epernay and Reims try to outdo one another as the ‘Capital’ of champagne, and it is probably unwise to argue with either. But Epernay is closer to the Mountain and from the town you can see the vines growing up the steep south facing slopes.
Reims is at the confluence of two rivers, the Vesle and the Marne, and is linked to Châlons-sur-Marne by a canal. Here, barges are still used to transport grain from the silos at Reims. These wonderful vessels are kept in pristine condition by their owners and are in increasing demand due to the growing cost of road transport.
For non-French speakers who still prefer to pronounce place names like the locals, Reims is pronounced ‘râns’, as in 'ran' with ‘s’ sounded, while Troyes should be pronounced ‘trwahh’.
For more tourist information and history, see Premier Pages