Le champagne et sa région | La vigne | Le sol de Champagne

The champagne and its region | Vine | The Champagne soil

The geological make up of the Champagne soil originates from:

  • at the beginning, the presence of the sea in the Champagne region
  • later, the withdrawal of the sea about 70 million years ago
  • an area affected by a first earthquake that occurred 20 million years ago having as a consequence the upheaval of the soil and the breakdown of the limestone, impregnating it with sea and mineral elements
  • a second seismic shock of greater intensity about 10 million years ago, which resulted in the formation of a relatively undulated terrain.

The presence of limestone in the form of belemnites (belemnita quadrata) is an essential element of the specific characteristics of Champagne wine.

This limestone has the capacity to accumulate and store the heat of the sun. It provides perfect drainage of excess water and allows the storage of excess humidity during rainy periods, thus reducing the effects of summer droughts.

Text obtained from CIVC.