The world's most celebrated sparkling wine appellation — 35,000 hectares of chalk and limestone soils in the Marne département north of Paris, divided into five districts: Montagne de Reims (Pinot Noir), Vallée de la Marne (Pinot Meunier), Côte des Blancs (Chardonnay), Côte de Sézanne, and the Aube (Pinot Noir). The unique chalk subsoil, continental climate tempered by Atlantic influence, and centuries of accumulated expertise in blending and secondary fermentation have produced the world's definitive celebration wine.
| Year | Rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | — | Very warm year; rich, concentrated base wines. Strong prospects for non-vintage assemblage. Declared vintage Champagnes will be atypically ripe and generous. |
| 2018 | — | Outstanding modern vintage — ideal conditions across all Champagne districts. The benchmark recent year for all styles from Blanc de Blancs to Prestige Cuvée. |
| 2015 | — | Very warm year — richer, more generous Champagne than typical. Best wines (Cristal, Krug) balanced the warmth with exceptional fruit depth. |
| 2013 | — | One of Champagne's great vintages — cool, long growing season produced wines of extraordinary precision, mineral depth, and ageing potential. Cristal 2013 rated 100 points by multiple critics. |
| 2012 | — | Another exceptional year — Krug Grande Cuvée 163rd edition (2012 dominant) received 100 points. Rich, powerful Champagnes requiring 15+ years. |