Grande Montagne de Reims

The Grande Montagne de Reims is a prominent, horseshoe-shaped plateau located between the city of Reims to the north and the Marne Valley to the south. This elevated area, heavily wooded and rich in natural thickets, forms a distinct landscape within Champagne and is widely regarded as one of the region’s most exceptional terroirs. It is often considered the finest of all Champagne sub-regions, not only for its historical prestige but also for the consistency and power of the wines it produces.

This prestigious zone is home to nine Grand Cru villages, the highest number within any single Champagne sub-region. Among these are some of the most celebrated names in Champagne, including Ambonnay, Bouzy, Verzenay, Verzy, Mailly, Louvois, Beaumont-sur-Vesle, Puisieulx and Sillery. Each of these villages is known for producing wines of strength, depth, and aging potential.

The soils of the Grande Montagne de Reims are predominantly chalk-based, but they also feature layers of loam, lignite, clay, sand, silt, and marl, creating a complex geological foundation. The topography includes both north-facing and south-facing slopes, and this orientation plays a crucial role in the character of the grapes. North-facing slopes tend to yield more restrained fruit, contributing elegance and finesse, while south-facing exposures favor riper, more powerful grapes, ideal for bold, structured wines.

Pinot Noir is the dominant grape variety in the Grande Montagne de Reims, accounting for around 60 percent of the planted vineyard area. Its expression here is particularly prized, bringing structure, depth, and backbone to the region’s Champagnes. However, Chardonnay also has a significant presence, especially on the eastern slopes, in villages such as Villers-Marmery and Trépail, where the grape benefits from protection against prevailing winds and chalk-rich soils that favor precision and minerality.

Champagnes from the Grande Montagne de Reims are renowned for their powerful character, structure, and complexity. These qualities are not solely the result of Pinot Noir dominance, but also of the region’s diverse microclimates created by varying slope orientations and soil compositions. This diversity enables a wide range of Pinot Noir styles, from refined and lifted to intense and muscular, providing an exceptional palette for both blending and single-vineyard expressions.

The high concentration of Grand Cru vineyards reinforces the region’s reputation for excellence, consistently delivering grapes of the highest quality. The Grande Montagne de Reims remains a benchmark for structured, age-worthy champagnes with a strong Pinot Noir identity, while also allowing room for nuance and finesse from its exceptional Chardonnay-producing villages.