France - Champagne - Côte des Bar - Les Riceys
Les Riceys: A Unique Village Known for Champagne and Rosé des Riceys
1. Location
Les Riceys is a village located in the southern part of the Côte des Bar sub-region in the Aube department of Champagne, near the border with Burgundy. It is actually made up of three small hamlets: Ricey-Bas, Ricey-Haute-Rive, and Ricey-Haut, forming the largest wine-growing village in all of Champagne, with around 866 hectares of vineyards. The region’s close proximity to Burgundy influences the wine styles, particularly the Pinot Noir produced here.
2. Key Varietals
• Pinot Noir (dominant)
• Chardonnay
• Pinot Meunier
The vineyards in Les Riceys are predominantly planted with Pinot Noir, which thrives in the warmer climate and unique terroir of the area. Pinot Noir from Les Riceys is known for its richness, depth, and complexity, making it ideal for both Champagne production and still wines, especially the famous Rosé des Riceys. Smaller amounts of Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier are also grown.
3. History
Les Riceys has a long and distinguished winemaking history dating back to the Middle Ages. The village has been a center for grape growing and wine production for centuries, with a particular emphasis on Pinot Noir. What makes Les Riceys unique in Champagne is that it holds three distinct AOCs (Appellations d’Origine Contrôlées): Champagne AOC, Coteaux Champenois AOC, and Rosé des Riceys AOC. The latter, Rosé des Riceys, is a rare and highly sought-after still rosé wine, made only in this village, using 100% Pinot Noir.
4. Wine-Making History
Les Riceys is most famous for producing three types of wines:
• Champagne: Made primarily from Pinot Noir, these Champagnes are known for their richness, structure, and fruity character, often displaying flavors of red berries, cherry, and plum, with a long, mineral finish. The warmer climate of Les Riceys results in riper grapes, contributing to fuller-bodied Champagnes.
• Coteaux Champenois: This is the designation for still wines produced in Champagne. In Les Riceys, Coteaux Champenois wines are typically Pinot Noir reds, made from grapes that are not used for Champagne production. These wines are known for their earthy, spicy character and are similar in style to Burgundy reds, given the village’s geographical proximity.
• Rosé des Riceys: A still rosé wine made exclusively from Pinot Noir and produced under its own AOC. Rosé des Riceys is famous for its intense color, aromas of red fruit and flowers, and its complex, often earthy and spicy character. It is one of the rarest wines in France and is produced only in exceptional vintages when the grapes achieve optimal ripeness.
5. Region Facts
• Size: Les Riceys has approximately 866 hectares of vineyards, making it the largest wine-growing village in Champagne. The majority of these vineyards are planted with Pinot Noir.
• Wine Style:
• Pinot Noir from Les Riceys produces full-bodied, fruit-forward Champagnes with flavors of red berries, cherry, and plum, along with a rich, rounded texture. These wines often display a depth and structure that is unique to this part of Champagne, which is warmer and closer to Burgundy.
• Rosé des Riceys is a still rosé wine known for its deep color, floral and fruity aromas, and complex flavors of earth, spice, and red berries. It has a distinctive, almost Burgundian character, and is produced only in small quantities.
• Coteaux Champenois reds from Les Riceys are made from Pinot Noir and are known for their spicy, earthy notes, with flavors of cherry, blackberry, and plum, often resembling red wines from neighboring Burgundy.
6. Microclimate
The Côte des Bar, including Les Riceys, enjoys a continental climate that is warmer than the northern parts of Champagne, such as the Montagne de Reims or Côte des Blancs. This warmer climate allows Pinot Noir to ripen fully, resulting in richer, more concentrated wines. The soils in Les Riceys are predominantly Kimmeridgian marl, a type of limestone-rich soil also found in Chablis. This unique terroir contributes to the mineral and earthy qualities of the wines, while the warm summers allow for the development of ripe fruit flavors.
7. Classification Wineries
Les Riceys holds a special place in Champagne due to its three distinct AOCs:
• Champagne AOC: For sparkling wines made using the traditional Champagne method.
• Coteaux Champenois AOC: For still red and white wines produced in Champagne.
• Rosé des Riceys AOC: For the rare and highly prized still rosé wine made from 100% Pinot Noir.
A. Notable Producers
Several Champagne houses and grower-producers focus on expressing the unique terroir of Les Riceys through both sparkling and still wines:
• Drappier: One of the most well-known producers in the Côte des Bar, Drappier crafts both Champagnes and still wines from the vineyards in Les Riceys, particularly focusing on Pinot Noir.
• René Jolly: A family-owned producer known for making both Champagne and Rosé des Riceys, with a focus on highlighting the richness and depth of Pinot Noir from the region.
• Morel Père & Fils: Another grower-producer that specializes in crafting Champagne and Rosé des Riceys, showcasing the unique terroir and full-bodied character of the wines from this village.
8. Famous Champagnes from Les Riceys
The Pinot Noir from Les Riceys is a key component in many of Champagne’s finest cuvées, particularly those that seek to highlight the richness and depth of the grape. Drappier, for example, produces Blanc de Noirs Champagnes made exclusively from Pinot Noir grown in the region. The rare Rosé des Riceys remains one of the most distinctive and sought-after wines produced here, known for its intense color and complex flavor profile.
Summary of Les Riceys
Les Riceys is a unique and historic village in the Côte des Bar, best known for producing full-bodied Pinot Noir, which is used to make both Champagne and the famous still Rosé des Riceys. With its rich winemaking heritage and three AOCs—Champagne, Coteaux Champenois, and Rosé des Riceys—the village stands out for its diversity of wine styles. The wines from Les Riceys are characterized by bold fruit flavors, rich texture, and a mineral-driven complexity, thanks to the village’s warm climate and Kimmeridgian marl soils. With producers like Drappier and René Jolly championing the region, Les Riceys continues to gain recognition for both its exceptional Champagnes and its rare, sought-after still rosé wines.