Champagne cellar reims

The champagne cellars in Reims house millions of bottles in underground galleries carved into limestone, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

About this subject

The champagne cellars in Reims are famous for their vast underground galleries. They were carved out of ancient limestone quarries, used since Roman times. These cellars provide ideal temperature and humidity for champagne aging. Many champagne houses such as Taittinger, Veuve Clicquot, and Pommery have their cellars in Reims.

Excavation began in the 3rd century to extract stone for construction. In the 17th century, the caves started being used to store champagne. During the world wars, they served as shelters. Today, some cellars have up to 30 km of passages. The constant depth of 10 to 15 meters maintains a temperature between 10 and 12 degrees Celsius year-round, perfect for fermentation.

The cellars are a symbol of the Champagne region, which produced the traditional method of making sparkling wines. In 2015, the "Côteaux, Maisons et Caves de Champagne" were inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Tourists can visit and taste, as well as observe the remuage process, the manual rotation of bottles still practiced in some cellars.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the ideal temperature of the champagne cellars in Reims?

Between 10 and 12 degrees Celsius, constant throughout the year.

How many kilometers of galleries exist in the cellars of Reims?

Some cellars have up to 30 kilometers of underground passages.

Why are the Reims cellars a UNESCO World Heritage site?

Because they represent the history and production process of champagne, including the champagne houses and the excavated cellars.