Champagne is Chalk

Look at the map of France. The north; big flat expanse without vines. Then... Champagne, like an island in the middle. Why? Chalk.

Chalk hills allow vines to grow on sun-warmed south-east facing slopes angled directly at the sun. You need every bit of sun; it's cold up here.

Chalk also soaks up the rain - it rains a lot - so the soil quickly dries. But chalk also HOLDS that water. Like a sponge. So in summer the vines always have their water supply. 50% the weight of chalk can be water.

The chalk has been quarried since the Romans. Champagne's hills have miles of tunnels. Perfect for the bottles to do their fizz thing in cool tranquillity.

Wonderful stuff; chalk.

P.S. Q: Where else do you get chalk hills?

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