Cumières

Cumières lies on the right bank of the Marne, at the foot of the Montagne de Reims, 4 km northwest of Épernay and 22 km from Reims. The historic hills that extend as far as Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2015, begin here to the east. Vineyards cover almost the entire commune, 254 of its 299 hectares. According to the UMC, 172.7 ha are cultivated by 188 winegrowers; the vineyards rise from 72 to 184 meters, face mainly south and southeast, and have the steepest average slope among the Grand Cru and Premier Cru vineyards in Champagne (17%).

Pinot Noir covers 54% of the area and produces full-bodied, structured wines; it is followed by Meunier (26%) and Chardonnay (20%). Cumières is Premier Cru, rated 93% on the échelle des crus. In 1718, Jean Godinot listed it among the «vins de Rivière», and in 1816 André Jullien placed its reds in the second class; even today, the village is known for its red wine, made in large oak casks. According to the UMC, Joseph Perrier, Leclerc Briant, Louis Roederer, Moët & Chandon, and Thiénot have vineyards in the commune.

The lateral canal along the Marne reaches the river at the Hautvillers lock, then branches off again west of the village along the stretch known as the «fer à cheval» and meets it again at the Cumières lock. The reinforced concrete bridge connecting the village to Épernay was inaugurated in 1949. The Church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste dates from the 18th century, with 1955 stained-glass windows depicting winegrowers. In 1911, Cumières too was garrisoned by troops sent to suppress the winegrowers' revolt.

STELT currently has no Champagne from Cumières in its catalog; when some become available, they will appear below. Wines from neighboring villages are on the pages for Hautvillers and Mardeuil, and the location is on the Champagne map.