Along Champagne’s Côte des Blancs
The Côte des Blancs is one of the key sub-regions of Champagne, running through the hillsides south of Épernay and perpendicular to the Marne Valley.
As the name implies, virtually all Champagne made here is based on the Chardonnay grape variety.
The Côte des Blancs yields popular champagnes, which are known for light and delicate aromas, finesse and elegance. Chardonnay arrived relatively late to the Champagne region; the first planting occurred toward the end of the 19th Century.
The villages located on the Côtes des Blancs slope are Avize, Cramant, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger and Oger.
And for today’s walk, we started in Cramant and walked back to Épernay.
Cramant is a nice village, but rather lifeless with no shops open. But the walk back to Épernay is lovely. Rolling hills. A couple of little villages nestled in the vineyards.
And you don’t need a map, because you can always see Épernay in the distance. That did not stop me from getting lost.
How did I celebrate when I arrived in Épernay? With a glass of Champagne or ice cream? I leave it to you to guess!
Links
Côte des Blancs
Cramant
Epernay
Logistics
Train to Épernay, then a taxi to Craman