Terroir 2012 banner
IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 International Terroir Conferences 9 Terroir 2012 9 Ancient and recent construction of Terroirs 9 The revision of the delimitation of the AOC “Champagne”

The revision of the delimitation of the AOC “Champagne”

Abstract

The Champagne vine-growing region has played a pioneering role in the delimitation of appellations of origin (AOC). The implementation of the Act of July, 22nd 1927 has led to drawing up lists of vine plots based on the criterion of vine cultivation antecedence.
After that, successive laws, especially the Acts of February 11th 1951 and November 16th 1984, have gradually helped to introduce technical criteria in correcting delimitation process.
The global reviewing of the Champagne appellation area was first opened to secure its boundaries and prevent it from being gradually undermined. Today, we have come very close to full exploitation of land currently classified in AOC (In 2011, the planted surface reaches 34 157 ha, i.e. about 97% of the delimited surface estimated at 35280 ha), which raises the question of spatial extension of the vineyard. However, this extension should not be at the expense of quality and specificity of champagne. This is what is at stake in the global reviewing of the AOC.

Publication date: September 25, 2023

Issue: Terroir 2012

Type: Article

Authors

Édith TOULEMONDE LE NY1*, Marcel BAZIN2
1 Institut National de l’Origine et de la Qualité, site d’Epernay, 43ter rue des Forges, 51200 Epernay
2 professeur émérite à l’université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne

Contact the author

Keywords

Appellation of Controled Origin for Champagne, delimitation process, plot-scale delimitation, core of “terroir”

Tags

IVES Conference Series | Terroir | Terroir 2012

Citation

Related articles…

FOLIAR APPLICATION OF METHYL JASMONATE AND METHYL JASMONATE PLUSUREA: INFLUENCE ON PHENOLIC, AROMATIC AND NITROGEN COMPOSITION OFTEMPRANILLO WINES

Phenolic, volatile and nitrogen compounds are key to wine quality. On one hand, phenolic compounds are related to wine color, mouthfeel properties, ageing potential. and are associated with beneficial health properties. On the other hand, wine aroma is influenced by hundreds of volatile compounds. Fermentative aromas represent, quantitatively, the wine aroma, and among these volatile compounds, esters, higher alcohols and acids are mainly responsible for the fermentation bouquet.

SSR analysis of some Vitis sylvestris (GMEL.) accessions of the Szigetköz and Fertő-hanság national park, Hungary

The evolution of cultivated plants played important role in the ascent of humanity. Research of their origin and evolution started at the beginning of the20th century, but till nowadays a lot of questions remain open. A large number of theories exist about the evolution of the European grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.). The Vitis sylvestris GMEL. in Hungary is a protected species.

Climats: a model of terroir-based winegrowing recognized by UNESCO

In Burgundy, a climat has nothing to do with the weather but accurately designates a named vine plot, often centuries-old, which produces a singular wine. This wine is the combination of history, the natural environment (relief, type of soil, exposure to the sun), a grape variety and know-how going back thousands of years. The grapes of each climat are harvested separately and the wine is made from a single grape variety and has a unique name featured on the bottle. Romanée conti, clos de vougeot, montrachet, musigny, corton…

First insights on the intra-species diversity in V. berlandieri: environmental adaptation and agronomic performances when used as rootstock

In grafted plants, such as grapevine, increasing the diversity of rootstocks available to growers is an ideal strategy to get adaptation to climate change. The rootstocks used for grapevine are hybrids of various American Vitis, including V. berlandieri. The rootstocks currently used in vineyards are derived from breeding programs involving very small numbers of parental individuals.

Significance of factors making Riesling an iconic grape variety

Riesling is the iconic grape variety of Germany and accounts for 23% of the German viticulture acreage, which comprises 45% of the worldwide Riesling plantings. Riesling wines offer a wide array of styles from crisp sparkling wines to highly concentrated and sweet Trockenbeerenauslese or Icewines. However, its thin berry skin makes Riesling more vulnerable to detrimental environmental threats than other white wine varieties.