Our Terroir
An exceptional estate in a land of history
One of the specificities of the Montagne de Reims region is its climate. The latter is at the crossroads of several environments:
- Northern, a cold climate which is severe for the vine.
- Oceanic, bringing water to the vines in regular quantities with little marked thermal contrasts from one season to another.
- Continental, responsible for frosts which can be destructive in winter but which provides favorable sunshine for grapes in summer.
It is this plurality of culture and climate that allows the Chaudron estate to offer such unique and rich Champagnes.
The Montagne de Reims sees the appearance of these first vineyards between the 1st and 4th centuries.
We then list in the 15th century 400 wine-growing communes. In 1887, on the strength of the success of Champagne, the Syndicat des Grandes Marques de Champagne mobilized and campaigned to obtain recognition of the ownership of the word Champagne, exclusively for wines from the region.
The Reims Moutain, the throne of Champagne
Les vignobles de la Montagne de Reims sont classés Grands Crus à 100%. C’est ce qui permet à nos champagnes d’être des produits de qualité reconnus à travers le monde et notre région.
The grape varieties
Pinot Noir.
Pinot Meunier.
Chardonnay.
A unique name specific to this terroir
In Champagne, we have an appellation recognized throughout the world, the Appellation d’Origine Protégée (AOP). It indicates the geographical origin of the product and subjects it to rules of production and development. The products recognized in AOP are a fusion between the terroir (geographical, climatic…) of the product and all the means implemented for its elaboration, thanks to the know-how of the men. Our champagne AOP is very technical in order to perpetuate a know-how unique to our appellation. Our hillside vineyard is a very good asset for producing quality grapes because it allows us to have perfect sunshine to guarantee the maturation of our grapes and thus offer you champagnes of subtle and fruity qualities.
The advantages of the AOP (INAO Congress)
« An AOP thus results from the fusion between the natural environment and human talent. It is from this merger that an AOP product will be born, with a unique, irreplaceable character, a product that will never position itself on the market in competition but in complementarity, because of its difference. An AOP product therefore has a strong identity and a typical character which gives it added value».
The main rules of the AOP Champagne are:
A strictly demarcated area.
Authorized grape varieties: chardonnay, pinot noir, meunier, pinot blanc, pinot gris, arbane, petit meslier
Pruning of the vines: Royat, Chablis, Guyot, Vallée de la Marne.
Limitation of grape yield per hectare.
Yield at pressing.
Minimum degree of alcohol in power, at harvest.
Second fermentation in bottles and maturation on the lees for a minimum of 15 months for non-vintages, 3 years for vintages.
The Vallée de la Marne extends over a hundred kilometers from Saâcy-sur-Marne in the department of Seine-et-Marne to Tours-sur-Marne beyond Épernay. The vines are spread over the hillsides which descend in more or less gentle slopes to the edge of the river, as well as in the picturesque valleys bordering the valley on either side. This is where Pinot Noir reigns supreme.
The Côte des Blancs, so called because it produces almost exclusively white grapes, is a cliff perpendicular to the Montagne de Reims and located south of Épernay. In the south of the department of Marne, the vine is visible in a discontinuous way to the north and south of Sézanne. In the Vitry-le-François region, planted areas remain limited to a few municipalities.
The Côte des Bar, to the south, extends the wine sector. Apart from Villenauxe-la-Grande, the southern part of the Marne vineyard, and Montgueux, in the immediate vicinity of Troyes, which only have a few dozen hectares, the vines are grouped around Bar-sur-Seine and Bar -sur-Aube. To the east of the latter, the department of Haute-Marne can claim the existence of a few dozen hectares of vines.
Location
Our nearest train stations are Pulborough and Billingshurst – we’d recommend booking a local taxi in advance from the station.
Mobility
In case a member of the party has restricted walking ability, email experiences@wineryorganic.com to let us know and we will make sure you are as comfortable as possible.
Parking
Parking is free at Winery organic. You can safely park your vehicle and then have a short walk, following the signs to the White Barn. This is where you will begin the tour.