Which of the following is NOT a principal region of Champagne Viticole?

• A. Montagne & Val de Reims
• B. Vallée de la Marne
• C. Côte des Bar
• D. Côte Sud

Answer: (D)

Champagne’s major vineyard regions are four: Montagne de Reims, Vallée de la Marne, Côte des Blancs, and Côte des Bar. Côte Sud isn’t one of the officially recognized principal regions, so it isn’t counted among the main terroir blocks used to describe Champagne’s geography and styles. The four named regions map to distinct topographies and grape emphases: Montagne de Reims with its limestone hills and Pinot Noir; Vallée de la Marne along the river valley with more Pinot Meunier; Côte des Blancs with chalky slopes focused on Chardonnay; and Côte des Bar in the southern part of Champagne (in the Aube) producing Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. So Côte Sud is not a principal region.