In 2025, the Champagne Hillsides, Houses and Cellars celebrate ten years as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

This milestone honours not only the beauty of the landscape but its universal value as a symbol of resilience, innovation and shared human heritage.

By exploring the detailed reasoning behind the ICOMOS recommendation—particularly the fulfilment of criteria (iii), (iv), and (vi)—and examining Champagne's classification as a “cultural landscape,” this article pays tribute to the first decade of a recognition that continues to shape the identity of Champagne on the global stage. 

This article explores the historical evolution and intricate geomorphology of Bouzy, a renowned Grand Cru village on the southern flank of the Montagne de Reims.

Drawing from historical records and early 20th-century land analysis, it outlines the topographical divisions, soil compositions, and watershed dynamics that define Bouzy's vineyards, forests, and cultivated lands.

A thorough breakdown of geological substrates, including chalk, red silt, clay, and sand, reveals how centuries of natural forces and human activity have shaped the viticultural identity of this Champagne territory. 

Les Riceys, the largest cru in Champagne and home to three distinct AOCs—Champagne, Rosé des Riceys, and Coteaux Champenois—is a remarkable viticultural region made up of three historic hamlets.

With a winemaking legacy rooted in noble grape varieties, complex geology, and meticulous cultivation methods, Les Riceys once rivaled the great wines of Burgundy.

This article explores its geography, grape diversity, cultivation practices, and historical trade, revealing the true character of this underappreciated gem.

This rare 1872 chronicle unveils the traditional art of winemaking in the Montagne de Reims, when still red wines from Rilly-la-Montagne and Bouzy stood at the heart of Champagne's identity.

It explores the influence of Veuve Clicquot-Ponsardin, details on vineyard yields and harvest techniques, and the impact of German occupation on the winegrowing region.

With rich insights into grape pressing, fermentation, and the historical wine trade, it captures a pivotal era in the legacy of Champagne's viticulture—long before sparkling wines took the stage. 

Nestled in the Côte des Blancs, just 7 km south of Épernay, the village of Cramant was home to one of Moët et Chandon's most advanced 19th-century presshouses.

With over 50 hectares of vines harvested by 400 workers, Cramant stood as a symbol of scale, precision, and innovation.

This article explores the layout, function, and techniques of the vendangeoir, illustrating how early Champagne craftsmanship merged manual labor, architectural engineering, and enological foresight.

The 1872 Champagne harvest was marked by a crippling shortage of grapes, halving the typical yields and triggering record prices.

Despite this, the vineyards and villages of the Champagne Riviera buzzed with activity as vintners, laborers, brokers, and even foreign observers engaged in a vibrant season of urgent harvests and innovations.

This account highlights the economic fragility of Champagne during that pivotal year, the pressing techniques that evolved, and the unique terroirs of renowned villages like Aÿ and Hautvillers.

It remains a vivid snapshot of a wine region balancing nature’s challenges with human ambition and craftsmanship.

This detailed historical and topographical study explores Brimont Mountain, its unique geology, fertile soils, and rich agricultural heritage near Reims, France.

Highlighting the mountain’s renowned quarries, vineyards, and ancient woodlands like Bois-Soulain, the account reveals centuries of human interaction with the land, including the influential estate of the Viscount Ruinart de Brimont.

Additionally, the text introduces Étienne Povillon-Piérard (1773–1846), a key 19th-century scholar dedicated to documenting the region’s history through meticulous archival research and landscape observation.

This comprehensive overview offers valuable insights into Champagne’s rural development, viticulture, and heritage, making it an essential resource for historians, geographers, and wine enthusiasts alike.

In the heart of the Champagne region, the historic village of Aÿ has long stood as a beacon of viticultural excellence.

Known for its “golden vineyards,” the meticulously maintained slopes of Aÿ have produced wines of exceptional finesse, aromatic elegance, and remarkable longevity.

Framed by the Marne River and remnants of medieval fortifications, Aÿ flourished as a winegrowing epicenter.

From 17th-century châteaux to traditional seasonal labor rhythms, Aÿ embodies the enduring harmony between land, craftsmanship, and heritage that defines the Champagne region.

The Henriot family has shaped the history of Champagne for centuries.

From the visionary marriage of Nicolas Simon Henriot and Apolline Godinot in 1794 to the creation of the Maison "Veuve Henriot Ainé" in 1808, and through the innovations of Ernest Marguet, this narrative explores the evolution of a House rooted in excellence, scientific foresight, and international prestige.

Discover how the Henriot-Marguet legacy united tradition, viticultural experimentation, and a commitment to terroir through the grands crus of Champagne.