No celebration of an event or milestone is ever complete without popping open a bottle of bubbles. Two popular and beloved wine regions in France where sparkling wine is produced are Champagne and Burgundy. If you’re planning a trip, you might be wondering if Reims is in Burgundy.
Reims is not located in Burgundy. Reims is located in the historical province of Champagne, just 160 kilometers east of Paris. Burgundy, another major sparkling-producing region in France, is located about 305 kilometers from Paris.
Though these two wine regions are not located in the same area or province, one can travel the distance of about 318 kilometers between them to experience what both have to offer champagne-wise.
The Historical Champagne Wine Region
Red wine, white wine, sparkling wine, and champagne are some of the world’s most popular and beloved alcoholic drinks. Whether serving them for your guests or simply enjoying a quiet and relaxing night in, these alcoholic beverages are sure to be a popular choice.
Champagne is an especially popular beverage to serve at events, holidays, and parties. No celebration is ever complete without popping open a bottle of champagne. The sparkly and bubbly beverage adds even more festivity to the already festive celebration.
Before we head on and talk about the historical Champagne region of France, let’s get a little bit technical first:
All variants of champagne are sparkling wine but not all variants of sparkling wine can be categorized as champagne. To be considered authentic champagne, it must come from and be produced in the Champagne region of France. This rule means that sparkling wine from Burgundy is not called champagne.
There are strict sets of laws that govern the production of champagne – from grapes in the vineyard to the bottling and aging process. A bottle of sparkling wine should adhere to these guidelines to be considered champagne.
In the northeast of France, about 129 kilometers (80 miles) east of Paris, is the wine region in the historical province of Champagne.
Within this historical province are five areas that produce quality wine. These five districts are:
- Côte de Sézanne
- Côte des Blancs
- Montagne de Reims
- Vallée de la Marne
- Aube
The area grows and harvests many varieties of grapes that champagne houses use in their respective bottles. Three of the main grapes grown in the area are Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier.
Within the historical Champagne province are Reims and Épernay, the centers for commerce of the French area. The two cities of Reims and Épernay also sandwich between them the five wine-producing districts in Champagne.
Fine Wines and Champagne Tour: Is Reims in Burgundy?
Reims is not located in Burgundy.
Burgundy is a historical territory and a province located in east-central France, about 305 kilometers (186 miles) from Paris.
Reims, on the other hand, is located in the historical province of Champagne, about 129 kilometers (80 miles) northeast of Paris.
All About Reims, Champagne City Centre
Now that we’ve got the location out of the way, let’s talk more about the city of Reims, the capital city and commercial center of the historical Champagne region.
Reims, Épernay, and Ay (all located in the French department of Marne) are some of the centers of champagne production in all of France. Many leading champagne houses built their headquarters in Reims. Many of them are open for tours and wine-tasting activities as well.
Reims is the most populous city in the French department of Marne, and the 12th most populous city in all of France.
Various restaurants in the city of Reims offer their local wines and champagnes for patrons, locals, and tourists to enjoy.
The city suffered major damages during World War I and World War II.
Reims is home to the famous Notre Dame de Reims (or the Reims Cathedral), known for its Gothic architecture and was a witness to the coronation of several French kings. The Catholic church – along with the Basilica of Saint-Remi, the Palace of Tau, and the Musée Saint-Remi – became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991.
The city is also home to the Carnegie Library of Reims, a public library showcasing art deco architecture.
One of the Most Popular Wine Producers: Burgundy
Another popular wine region in France is Burgundy.
Burgundy is a historical territory and a province in east-central France, about 305 kilometers (186 miles) from Paris.
The area is one of France’s main wine-producing territories. It’s known for its well-loved red wines and white wines.
Common grapes grown in the area include Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes but other varieties like Gamay, Aligote, Pinot blanc, and Sauvignon blanc are also commonly grown in the area.
In addition to the most famous still wines from Burgundy, Cremant de Bourgogne is produced here – a high quality sparkling wine worth exploring alongside Champagne.
How Far Is Reims From Burgundy?
Being that both are big wine regions in France where sparkling wine is produced, many might be wondering how far Reims and Burgundy are from each other to plan their trips more seamlessly.
Burgundy and Reims have a distance of about 318 kilometers (198 miles) between them.
If you’re planning on going from one place to another, you can do so by either taking the train or driving from point a to point b.
One can take the Gare de l’Est train station heading to eastern France to the Gare de Reims, the main train station in the city centre or the new Gare de Champagne-Ardenne TGV.
Conclusion
Reims is not located in Burgundy. Reims is located in the historical province of Champagne, about 160 kilometers east of Paris. Burgundy is another major wine-producing region in France, located 305 kilometers from Paris.
These two wine regions are not located in the same area. While they are both home to excellent producers of bubbly wines, only wine from Champagne can be called such. These locations have a distance of about 318 kilometers between them.