Coteaux Champenois is an appellation that geographically covers the same area as the Champagne appellation of France. Coteaux Champenois covers non-Sparkling wines, including red, white and rosé, but the latter two are produced in very small quantities. The authorised production area covers almost the entire region, although in practice the Grapes come from the west of the Champagne region. Because it is spread over 319 communes, the Coteaux Champenois catchment area has distinct climatic variations.
The majority of its vineyards are planted in a temperate maritime Climate with Slight continental influences, particularly in the south-east. The climatic conditions, combined with the region's latitude (48 to 49 degrees North), mean that the wines produced under the Coteaux Champenois appellation are, like their sparkling counterparts, Dry and light with a naturally high Acidity. The reds are best in warmer vintages, as the predominant grape variety, Pinot Noir, has difficulty maturing Fully in cooler years. On some labels, the title Coteaux Champenois may be followed by the name of the commune where the grapes were grown.
Pinot noir is an important red grape variety in Burgundy and Champagne, and its reputation is well known! Great wines such as the Domaine de la Romanée Conti elaborate their wines from this famous grape variety, and make it a great variety. When properly vinified, pinot noit produces red wines of great finesse, with a wide range of aromas depending on its advancement (fruit, undergrowth, leather). it is also the only red grape variety authorized in Alsace. Pinot Noir is not easily cultivated beyond our borders, although it has enjoyed some success in Oregon, the United States, Australia and New Zealand.
Tina Gellie, Content Manager and Regional Editor (Australia, South Africa, New Zealand & Canada) It was a big year of Decanter travel for me, heading to Napa and New York in June, South Africa in October and most recently a week each in Margaret River and South Australia. These trips have formed the basis of my festive selections. Christmas lunch on North Stradbroke Island (reunited with my family after four years, no thanks to Covid) always starts with oysters, followed by a bucket of prawn ...
Inside the January 2023 issue of Decanter magazine: FEATURES Wines of the Year The best wines of 2022, nominated and retasted by Decanter experts Anniversary wines for 2023 Anthony Rose picks out his perfect wines for 2023’s big celebrations Vintage preview: Burgundy 2021 A difficult vintage but some great wines, writes Charles Curtis MW Sonoma County’s cool side Brooke Herron profiles three of the region’s cool-climate AVAs Bag in box – a Decanter guide Natalie Earl on the 25 best bag in box wi ...
Fine wine prices have outperformed mainstream equities in 2022, notably led by top Burgundy and Champagne brands, said Liv-ex, a global marketplace for the trade. ‘Fine wine continues to offer relative stability and act as an inflationary hedge,’ said the group, which is considered one of several indicators of market performance. Its benchmark Liv-ex 100 index rose by 7.1% in sterling currency in the first 11 months of 2022, despite dipping in November. The 10 most traded wines by value on Liv-e ...
