The Champagne region is situated within the triangle Luxembourg, Paris and Burgundy. As a matter of fact this area consists of a number of winemaking areas that do not necessarily border each other. It is popularly known as the Champagne-Ardennes. French officials speak about the Regions (provinces) Marne, Aisne and Aube. Winegrowers of course use their own zoning of the regions. All in all it covers an area of about four times the Netherlands. Directly or indirectly the inhabitants make their living on Champagne or on tourism generated by the Champagne making. In the areas that are unsuitable for winegrowing one will find agricultural activities such as the growing of corn, sunflowers and grain. There are also a small number of cattle farmers. Just to make the picture complete….
The bulk of the Champagne splash is to be found in and around the towns of Reims, Epernay and Troyes. In and around the first two cities the core of the business is situated. The area around Reims lies a 130-180 meters above sea level. In the old days (in the tertiary, for purists) Reims would have been under water. The mass of shells lying on the bottom at that time were pressed together and formed the 200 meters thick layer that underlies the present-day hillocks.Troyes is a pleasant tourist village that harbours loads of cheap Champagne producers.
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