France - Champagne - Côte des Bar - Bar-sur-Aube
Bar-sur-Aube: A Historic Village in the Heart of the Côte des Bar
1. Location
Bar-sur-Aube is located in the Côte des Bar sub-region of Champagne, situated along the Aube River in the Aube department. It lies to the northeast of the Côte des Bar, just north of Les Riceys and near the southern border of Champagne. This village is one of the historical and geographical centers of the Côte des Bar, and the surrounding area is renowned for its vineyards, particularly for producing Pinot Noir.
2. Key Varietals
• Pinot Noir (dominant)
• Chardonnay
• Pinot Meunier
Bar-sur-Aube is primarily known for its Pinot Noir, which thrives in the warmer climate and Kimmeridgian marl soils of the Côte des Bar. Pinot Noir from this area is noted for its fruit-forward, rich, and structured qualities. Smaller amounts of Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier are also grown in the region, but Pinot Noir remains the dominant varietal used in both Champagne and still wines.
3. History
Bar-sur-Aube has a long and rich winemaking history, dating back to the Middle Ages. It was historically part of the Champagne fairs, which played a crucial role in the medieval trade of wine. The village has been an important center for viticulture in the Côte des Bar for centuries, and it continues to be a key producer of high-quality Pinot Noir for Champagne production. While the Côte des Bar was once seen as less prestigious than the northern parts of Champagne, such as the Montagne de Reims or the Côte des Blancs, it has gained increasing recognition for the quality of its grapes, particularly for Pinot Noir.
4. Wine-Making History
Bar-sur-Aube is best known for its production of Pinot Noir-based Champagnes, which are typically full-bodied, rich, and fruit-forward. The region’s warmer climate allows the Pinot Noir grapes to ripen fully, resulting in wines with ripe red fruit flavors such as strawberry, raspberry, and cherry, along with a rich, structured mouthfeel. Pinot Noir from Bar-sur-Aube is frequently used in blends to add depth, body, and fruitiness to both non-vintage and vintage Champagnes. In addition to sparkling wines, some producers in the area also craft Coteaux Champenois still wines from Pinot Noir, which are often compared to the red wines of neighboring Burgundy.
5. Region Facts
• Size: The Côte des Bar as a whole is the largest sub-region in Champagne in terms of vineyard area, with Bar-sur-Aube contributing a significant portion of Pinot Noir vineyards. The total area under vine in Bar-sur-Aube and its surrounding vineyards is substantial, though exact figures vary by source.
• Wine Style:
• Pinot Noir from Bar-sur-Aube produces rich, fruit-driven Champagnes with flavors of red berries, cherry, and plum, along with a full-bodied, structured palate. These wines tend to have more generosity and depth compared to those from cooler regions in northern Champagne.
• Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier play a supporting role, adding freshness and elegance to the blends, but Pinot Noir remains the signature grape of the area.
6. Microclimate
Bar-sur-Aube enjoys a continental climate that is warmer than the more northerly parts of Champagne, such as the Montagne de Reims or the Côte des Blancs. The vineyards here benefit from a mix of Kimmeridgian marl, limestone, and clay soils, similar to those found in Chablis and Burgundy. These soils contribute to the minerality and structure of the wines while also allowing for excellent drainage, ensuring that the vines remain healthy and produce high-quality grapes even in challenging weather conditions. The warmer climate in Bar-sur-Aube allows Pinot Noir to ripen fully, resulting in wines that are more fruit-forward and generous than those from cooler sub-regions.
7. Classification Wineries
Unlike the Montagne de Reims or the Côte des Blancs, the Côte des Bar, including Bar-sur-Aube, does not have any Grand Cru or Premier Cru classifications. However, the quality of the grapes grown here, particularly Pinot Noir, is highly regarded, and many of the top Champagne houses and grower-producers source grapes from this region to craft their Pinot Noir-based cuvées.
A. Notable Producers
Several prestigious Champagne houses and grower-producers source Pinot Noir from Bar-sur-Aube to add richness and complexity to their cuvées:
• Drappier: One of the most famous producers in the Côte des Bar, Drappier is known for its Pinot Noir-driven Champagnes, which are rich, full-bodied, and complex. Drappier produces notable Blanc de Noirs Champagnes made entirely from Pinot Noir.
• Champagne Devaux: A key producer in the Côte des Bar, Devaux focuses on crafting high-quality Champagnes from Pinot Noir sourced from the Bar-sur-Aube area, producing elegant, balanced wines with a fruit-forward character.
• Charles Dufour: A well-known grower-producer, Charles Dufour practices organic and biodynamic viticulture, producing terroir-driven Champagnes that highlight the unique characteristics of Bar-sur-Aube and the Côte des Bar.
8. Famous Champagnes from Bar-sur-Aube
Pinot Noir from Bar-sur-Aube is a key component in many of Champagne’s finest cuvées, particularly those that aim to highlight the richness and depth of the grape. Drappier, for example, creates Blanc de Noirs Champagnes using only Pinot Noir from the region, while producers like Devaux and Charles Dufour use Bar-sur-Aube grapes to craft terroir-driven wines that express the full-bodied, fruit-forward character of the area’s Pinot Noir.
Summary of Bar-sur-Aube
Bar-sur-Aube is a key village in the Côte des Bar, renowned for producing rich, fruit-driven Pinot Noir that is used in both Champagne and still wine production. The village’s vineyards, located on limestone-rich Kimmeridgian soils, benefit from a warmer climate than northern Champagne, allowing Pinot Noir to ripen fully and develop rich flavors of red berries, cherry, and plum. Although Bar-sur-Aube lacks Grand Cru or Premier Cru status, it plays an essential role in providing Pinot Noir for some of Champagne’s most prestigious houses and grower-producers like Drappier and Devaux. The wines from Bar-sur-Aube are known for their full-bodied structure and generous fruit, making them an increasingly important part of Champagne’s diverse terroir.