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Our villages
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The vineyard
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Forest and water
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Our Heritage

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At the source of Champagne

Registered since 2015 as World Herritage Site by UNESCO, the hillside slopes of Hautvillers and from Aÿ to Mareuil-sur- Aÿ, are recognized as the birth place of champagne.

The footprint of the most prestigious of wines is engraved in its villages and its houses, which are hotbeds of the wine tradition of the region, in its landscapes and heritage. It is here that the champagne production predominantly takes place.

When they are not working in their vines, the hundreds of winegrowers present in the region, are producing their cuvees and watch the bottles in their cellars. They are ready to welcome you to share a few secrets of the champagne production with you and to taste theirs wines with you.

Let’s not forget that Champagne’s story, is first and foremost a human story.

Champagne inspires outdoor activities that also allow you to go beyond the surface of things. Walk 2.2 km along the Sentier du Vigneron in Mutigny-en- Champagne and discover this typical Champagne landscape. With your smartphone and our new application Mhikes, you can walk, bike or drive on the path of vineyards in Bouzy. Want to visit the vineyard while respecting the environment? It is possible in Aÿ by taking a tasting trip in an electric car through the vineyards.

An unique wine

Despite hostile grape growing conditions, the Champenois, over several generations, were able to develop expertise to adapt the vine and grow grapes just under the fiftieth North paralle. The Champagne appellation consist of 35,000 hectares of vines spread out from north to south – from the north of Reims to Les Riceys – and spread out from east to west as well, going from 70km from Paris till Vitry-le- François

The 3 grape varieties used to produce champagne allow for multiple cuvee creations: mono-varietal, blends as well as vintages. In fact, each village (320 in Champagne) has their own specific micro terroir (soil, subsoil and climate), allowing for infinite blending possibilities, featuring one, two or three varieties to create a unique champagne for wine lovers.

Each champagne will reflect the style its winemaker (House, Cooperative or Grower) gives it after having aged the bottles for a long time in the cellar, allowing the second fermentation (prise de mousse) to take place in the bottle.

The 3 varieties

Pinot noir
Present on 38% of the appellation, Pinot Noir is mainly planted in the Montagne de Reims and in the Aube. It brings structure and power with notes of red and black fruit and sometimes spices. We hence speak about wines with body.

Chardonnay
Chardonnay, the most fragile variety of the 3, is planted on 30% of the appellation surface. It needs a lot of sunshine and a lot of water. The Champenois have planted it on south/south-east facing slopes, to promote a better ripening. This variety expresses itself through its finesse and length in the mouth, and we often find notes of citrus and white flowers.

Meunier
Pinot Meunier is the most resistant variety and it is planted on 30% of the appellation surface, predominantly in the Vallée de la Marne, east of Epernay, where spring frosts are more frequent. Wines made from Pinot Meunier are round and supple, with notes of white fruit (apple pear) and often have a honeyed character.

Bouzy Rouge

There is not only champagne in Champagne!

There is also the Bouzy rouge. Pinot Noir is king in this area and makes an excellent red wine.

The quality of the Bouzy wine is due to its perfect south-facing vineyard exposure, protected by the Montagne de Reims. This means Bouzy benefits from an exceptional microclimate.

The Bouzy rouge is a pure expression of Pinot Noir, ruby in colour, it will intoxicate you with its red fruit aroma’s (more specifically aromas of Morello cherry), elderberry and peach.

It’s typical Champenois vivacity, confers it an explosive bouquet in its youth as well as a beautiful aging potential.

Villa Bissinger - Champagne Wine school

The Villa Bissinger offers a Champagne knowledge and tasting initiation. The Champagne Wine School welcomes you all year long (on demand and reservation). Tailor made programs available.

VILLA BISSINGER / ECOLE DES VINS DE CHAMPAGNE
15, rue Jeanson – 51160 AŸ-CHAMPAGNE
Tél. : +33 (0)3 26 55 78 78
infos@villabissinger.com | www.villabissinger.com