Champagne and its climate

A dual climatic influence: a feature unique to the Champagne climate

The Champagne vineyards are bathed in a dual climate subject to both continental and oceanic influences. This phenomenon is unique to Champagne and not found in any other French wine-making region. 

What it means in practice is that there is a kind of conflict between two distinct climatic conditions: thanks to the oceanic influence, the vineyards are blessed with fairly mild temperatures. It is neither too cold in winter nor too hot in summer. The average annual temperature is 11°C. 

However, continental influences can lead to freezing temperatures in winter without warning. In places, temperatures below -10°C have been recorded, bringing frosts that can be devastating for the vineyards. The reverse can also happen in summer, with rising temperatures sometimes culminating in violent storms.

These climatic conditions are also beneficial for the vines, though, in more ways than one. The Champagne region gets plenty of sunshine in the summer, which is perfect for the grape clusters to develop. There is a steady and moderate amount of rainfall through the year: an almost ideal water supply for the grapes.

But how does all this benefit Champagne wine?

Why such interest in the weather in Champagne? Well, it’s because the weather has a genuine impact on the vines and the grapes, and therefore…on Champagne! 

Champagne’s climate is just right for making sparkling wine. The finest vintages are crafted from grapes which have achieved a subtle balance between acidity and sugar levels. Sunlight and rainfall are pivotal where these two parameters are concerned. 

This balance is easily attained in Champagne where levels of sunshine and rainfall are just right. This is helped by the fact that the vines are planted on sloping hillsides so as to soak up as much sunlight as possible. In this way, the grapes retain their natural acidity even when fully ripe.

But the weather can change drastically from one year to the next unfortunately, and this subjects the vineyards to all manner of hazards. Climate change has increased the intensity and frequency of this extreme weather. Champagne is accustomed to fickle weather and has already spent a century developing various tools to tackle climate change.

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Throughout the year, the Champagne landscape and its vines change in step with the seasons: bare in winter, they grow thick foliage in the spring which, come summer, protects the precious clusters of grapes. In the autumn, the Champagne hillsides adorn themselves in shimmering gold and orange shades as the vine leaves change colour.

WINTER - After the harvests, the days get colder and shorter. The vines gradually shed their leaves until they are complete bare. This gives growers the opportunity to maintain the vine plant itself, focusing on pruning it to prepare for the next growing cycle.

SPRING - Seasonal growth resumes as the days become warmer and sunnier. This is a key period for growers, for the future crop depends on the tasks carried out over the next few months. Unstinting care and attention are therefore called for with vineyard maintenance a daily requirement from this point onward. The vines break into bud and leaf, which will need carefully pinching back to make sure the vine can keep focusing on its fruit.

SUMMER - Vineyard maintenance must continue, with growers increasingly watching over the grapes that are beginning to appear. The weather now plays a decisive role in the quality of the crop.

AUTUMN – It's time for harvesting, the start date for which will depend on the amount of sunshine the vineyards received that year. The harvest used to start in September, but the effects of climate change are being felt with picking dates starting increasingly earlier. The leaves will then turn yellow and fall, ready for the vines to begin a new seasonal cycle. 

Champagne and its seasons