Location and landscape
Chavot-Courcourt is a municipality in the Marne department in north-eastern France and lies in Champagne. Within the wine-growing region, it belongs to the Vallée de la Marne and the Coteaux Sud d’Épernay sector. The municipal area reaches more than 200 metres in altitude around Montfélix and overlooks the surrounding municipalities of the Coteaux Sud d’Épernay. The archaeological site of Montfélix lies on a projecting terrain spur above the valley of the Cubry and Épernay; the natural subsoil consists of chalk.
Viticulture
In Chavot-Courcourt, 124.60 hectares of vineyard area are recorded, which are managed by 78 operators. Of this, 61.70 hectares are assigned to Meunier, 56.60 hectares to Chardonnay, 6.00 hectares to Pinot Noir and 0.30 hectares to other grape varieties. Local production is assigned to the Champagne appellation and the Coteaux Sud d’Épernay sector.
Climate and wine-making
The wine-growing area is shaped by influences from both oceanic and continental climates. Rainfall is moderate throughout the year, and the average annual temperature is around 11 °C. Climate-related risks include winter frost and summer thunderstorms. For Champagne wines, requirements apply among other things to the minimum age of the vines and to the planting distances.
History
The church of Saint-Martin shows important phases of construction from the 12th, 16th and 17th centuries and has been protected as a listed building since 11 July 1942. According to archaeological investigations, the comital castle of Montfélix was founded in the middle of the 10th century and was abandoned in the 13th century. The present-day municipality of Chavot-Courcourt was formed in 1852 through the administrative reorganisation of Chavot and Courcourt.
