About Champagne - The Soil in Champagne

Chalk

Soil in the Champagne region is either chalky or a clay-chalk mixture. The subsoil of most of the vineyards in the Marne department consists of chalk.  There are sandy subsoils in the area to the west of Reims, Marl in the Aisne and Kimmeridgean Marl in the Côte des Bar.

Wet periods

In addition to the white chalky soil reflecting sunlight back up to the vines, two other benefits arise from the high chalk content: During rainy periods the soil has good water retention due to the capacity of chalk to absorb up to 40% its volume. If there is too much rain then the chalk ensures excellent drainage.

Dry periods

During dry periods, moisture in the chalk is available to the vine's roots and moisture in the subsoil rises to the surface by capillary action; heat from the sun builds up in the soil during the day and is then released during the night.