Côte des Blancs

Sub-area of the Champagne AOC

The Côte des Blancs is a sub-area of the Champagne AOC south of Épernay, planted mainly with Chardonnay.1,2

The area

The Côte des Blancs is a single slope six to nine miles (about 10-15 km) long.3 Chardonnay is the main variety here.1,3 Across Champagne, Chardonnay covers 31% of the vineyard.2 Wines made only from white grapes are labelled blanc de blancs.

Across Champagne, limestone (chalk, marl and hard limestone) makes up 75% of the outcrops.3

Rules

The area has no appellation of its own: its sparkling wines are Champagne and follow the same rules, including a base yield of 12,400 kg/ha and at least 15 months from tirage before release.4

Grand Cru status is granted commune by commune in the Champagne specification, not by sub-area; the 17 communes are listed on the Champagne page.4

See also

ChampagneRegionsChardonnayGrapesBlanc de blancsStylesCôte de SézanneRegions

Sources

  1. Comité Champagne. The Champagne region
  2. Comité Champagne. Grape varieties
  3. Comité Champagne. Champagne and its soil
  4. 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)

Facts checked on 2026-10-19