Louvois

Grand Cru commune · Montagne de Reims

Louvois is one of the 17 Grand Cru communes of the Champagne AOC and lies in the Montagne de Reims.1,2 Its 41.20 ha of vines are mostly Pinot Noir (33.30 ha).2

Location

Louvois lies in the Montagne de Reims. The Union des Maisons de Champagne (UMC) places it in the Grande Montagne de Reims sub-zone.2 That sub-zone counts 21 villages, 2,007 operators and 4,040.50 ha of vines: 56.37% Pinot Noir, 30.55% Chardonnay and 12.96% Meunier.5 Vines in the Montagne de Reims are planted mostly with Pinot Noir, in a large semicircle from Louvois to Villers-Allerand.5 Louvois is now a commune déléguée of Val de Livre.3

Vineyard

The UMC village sheet lists 35 operators working 41.20 ha of vines in Louvois (reference year not stated).2 Part of the vines belongs to the vineyards of 4 Champagne houses: Bollinger, Louis Roederer, Moët & Chandon and Veuve Clicquot.2

VarietyArea, ha
Chardonnay7.80
Pinot Noir33.30
Meunier0.10
Total41.20

History and heritage

The village sheet describes the Château de Louvois as a 13th-century building that was substantially renovated after Michel Le Tellier acquired it; Le Tellier was a French Secretary of State for War and close to the young Louis XIV.2

Grand cru status

The Champagne specification lists Louvois among the 17 Marne communes whose wines may carry "grand cru" and also "premier cru"; 42 further communes may use "premier cru" only.1 Under the échelle des crus, "grand cru" meant vineyards rated 100% and "premier cru" vineyards rated 90-99%.4 The mention is not a separate appellation: the general Champagne rules apply, including at least 15 months from tirage before release and 36 months for vintage wines.1

See also

ChampagneRegionsMontagne de ReimsRegionsgrand cruGlossaryéchelle des crusGlossaryPinot NoirGrapesBlanc de noirsStylesChampagne label codes: NM, RM, CM, RC, SR, ND, MAStyles

Sources

  1. Cahier des charges de l'AOP « Champagne » - modifications approved by the INAO national committee on 11 September 2024 (national opposition procedure text) (2024-09-11)
  2. Union des Maisons de Champagne (UMC). Village sheet: Louvois (region, terroir, agricultural holding by variety, heritage)
  3. API Découpage administratif (geo.api.gouv.fr, French government, COG INSEE data). Communes associées et déléguées: Ay, Bisseuil, Mareuil-sur-Ay (chef-lieu 51030 Aÿ-Champagne); Louvois (chef-lieu 51564 Val de Livre); Oger (chef-lieu 51612 Blancs-Coteaux)
  4. Union des Maisons de Champagne (UMC). Labeling
  5. Union des Maisons de Champagne (UMC). The Montagne de Reims (geographical area, sub-zone table)

Facts checked on 2026-10-20