The Côte de Sézanne is one of the southernmost areas of the Champagne winegrowing region in the Marne department and extends around the town of Sézanne, to the south‑west of the Côte des Blancs. It is a territory predominantly devoted to Chardonnay, which thrives in the chalky soils and on the sun‑exposed slopes. Although close to the Côte des Blancs, the Côte de Sézanne has its own character: the morphology of the hills, the composition of the soils and the presence of other grape varieties contribute to Champagnes that are generally fruit‑forward and approachable, without giving up the freshness typical of the region.

Where the Côte de Sézanne is located

The Côte de Sézanne is located south‑west of the Côte des Blancs, around Sézanne, in the Marne department. The vineyard area occupies a succession of hills and slopes that form a more open and less compact landscape than that of the Côte des Blancs. The vineyards are generally situated on the best‑exposed hillsides, where the terrain favors drainage and allows the vine to benefit from good sunlight. Here too, the subsoil contains a significant component of chalk and limestone, hallmark elements of the champenois terroir. The nature of the soils, together with the region’s cool climate, helps maintain a good balance between ripeness and acidity.

A territory close to the Côte des Blancs, yet with its own identity

The geographical proximity to the Côte des Blancs makes comparison inevitable. Both are strongly associated with Chardonnay and share the presence of limestone soils, but the Côte de Sézanne shows a greater variety of soil‑and‑climate conditions and a vineyard composition less concentrated on a single grape. In the coteaux Sézannais Chardonnay finds a particularly favorable environment, but Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier are also present. This diversity helps create Champagnes with a character that is often more fruit‑driven and rounded, while maintaining the freshness needed for balance.

The main villages of the Côte de Sézanne

Among the winegrowing municipalities of the Côte de Sézanne are Sézanne, Barbonne-Fayel, Bethon, Broyes, Fontaine-Denis-Nuisy, Saudoy and Vindey. The vineyards unfold over the slopes surrounding Sézanne and the nearby countryside, with different exposures that influence grape ripening. Vert-Toulon and other communes in the area complete the winegrowing mosaic of the coteaux Sézannais. Unlike the Côte des Blancs, the Côte de Sézanne does not include communes classified as Grand Cru or Premier Cru: the value of its Champagnes is therefore closely tied to the identity of each site and to the producers’ interpretation.

The grape varieties of the Côte de Sézanne

Chardonnay is the most characteristic grape variety of the Côte de Sézanne and represents the main variety grown in the area. Its presence is favored by the nature of the soils and the conditions of the hills, which make it possible to obtain grapes that retain good acidity alongside significant aromatic ripeness. Pinot Noir is present in several areas and contributes to blends with structure, color and red‑fruit notes. Pinot Meunier is also part of the local viticultural heritage, bringing suppleness, fruit and immediacy. The combination of the three varieties allows producers to craft Champagnes with very diverse expressions.

The style of the Champagnes from the Côte de Sézanne

The Champagnes of the Côte de Sézanne are often characterized by a balance of freshness, fruit and softness. Chardonnay can express notes of citrus, apple, pear and white flowers, accompanied by a softer, rounder structure than the more tensile expressions found in some parts of the Côte des Blancs. With ageing, dried fruit, honey, pastry and light toasty nuances can emerge. Chardonnay‑based Champagnes pair particularly well with fish, shellfish and white meats, while cuvées that include Pinot Noir and Meunier also find a natural match with charcuterie, poultry and cheeses.