The village of Les Riceys
Les Riceys is located about fifty kilometres away from the city of Troyes in “Côte des Bar“ in Champagne. The first thing that makes it stand out from other villages in the Champagne designation area is that it is by far the biggest, encompassing 900 hectares of vines for 1450 inhabitants. Its second distinguishing feature is that it is the only village in France to have three AOCs* (Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée), and the only village to hold the Rosé des Riceys AOC.
* AOC: Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée, or Controlled Designation of Origin.
The 3 AOCs
An AOC connects a product with its geographical origin and makes it subject to certain rules and regulations controlling how it is produced and made. Products that have AOC recognition are an expression of the close links that exist between them and a particular terroir (a French term describing the combination of the many environmental factors, such as soil type, climate, topography, exposure to sunlight, etc. influencing the flavours that develop in products) all of which are turned to advantage and sustained by human know-how.
Champagne: AOC obtained in 1936 after various decrees and laws in 1919, 1927 and 1935.
Over time, selection of the best-suited grape varieties has been guided by the nature of the terroir itself. Nowadays, the Pinot Noir (black grape), Pinot Meunier (black grape) and Chardonnay (white grape) are the three main varieties grown. The Arbanne, Petit Meslier, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris (all white grapes) are also authorised, but account for less than 0.5% of the total vineyard area.
The Champagne appellation concerns more than 300 villages located in five departments: Aisne, Aube, Haute-Marne, Marne and Seine-et-Marne.
Rosé des Riceys: AOC obtained in 1947
Only 350 out of the 900 hectares of vineyards in Les Riceys have the Rose-des Riceys AOC, and only about fifty of those 350 hectares are actually set aside for the production of this famous Rosé wine that was so loved by Louis XIV.
The vines are between 35 and 50 years old and grow on very steep slopes with maximum exposure to sunlight.
Only one grape variety, the Pinot Noir, is authorised for making this still (not sparkling) wine, which is deeply coloured and full of character.
Rosé des Riceys winegrowers have to comply with a stringent set of specifications in making their wine, which is always vintaged and only made in the best grape-growing years.
The winemaking process used involves short maceration of Pinot Noir grapes.
AOC regulations for Rosé des Riceys wine are some of the toughest that exist (low yields, grapes sorted several times, minimum alcoholic strength, harvesting of full bunches of grapes only, etc.)
Its ageing potential is 3 to 10 years.
This unique and exquisite-tasting wine should be enjoyed at a temperature of 12°C.
Coteaux champenois: AOC obtained in 1974
The Coteaux Champenois is an AOC produced on part of the Champagne vineyard area, and encompasses 9 villages: Ambonnay, Aÿ, Bouzy, Cumières, Mailly, Oeuilly, Les Riceys, Sillery and Verzy.
It is a less well-known appellation, with lower outputs that result in fewer bottles and make the wines much rarer.
Coteaux Champenois wines are made from the same grape varieties as Champagne.
They can be red, white or rosé.