
The Côte des Blancs is an area of
Champagne vineyards. Located in the department of
Marne, it lies south of
Epernay, stretches for about 20 km, and had a vineyard area of in 2006. The ''Côte des Blancs'' is a mostly eastern-facing slope that owes its name to the color of the grape that is planted: 95%
Chardonnay
Chardonnay (, , ) is a green-skinned grape variety used in the production of white wine. The variety originated in the Burgundy wine region of eastern French wine, France, but is now grown wherever wine is produced, from English wine, Englan ...
. Champagnes in this area include the term "
blanc de blancs".
Only four villages are located on the actual Côtes des Blancs slope, namely
Avize,
Cramant,
Le Mesnil-sur-Oger and
Oger but all municipalities between
Cuis and
Bergères-les-Vertus have their vineyards on the côtes. The ''Côte des Blancs'' yields popular champagnes, which are known for light and delicate aromas, finesse and elegance. The Côtes des Blancs is the source of Chardonnay for many vintage Champagnes and prestige cuvées from the large Champagne houses.
Classification
Côte des Blancs includes six villages
classified as grand cru.
*
Avize
*
Chouilly
*
Cramant
*
Le Mesnil-sur-Oger
*
Oger
*
Oiry
Oiry () is a commune in the Marne department in north-eastern France.
Champagne
The village's vineyards are located in the Côte de Blancs subregion of Champagne, and are classified as Grand Cru (100%) in the Champagne vineyard classificati ...
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cote des Blancs
Wine regions of France
Champagne (wine)