Montbré

Montbré lies on the north side of the Montagne de Reims, 8 km south of Reims, between Rilly-la-Montagne, Taissy, Trois-Puits, and Villers-Allerand; since 2017 it has been part of the Grand Reims urban community. L'UMC places it in the Grande Montagne de Reims terroir. The name appears as Mumbrès in 1197 and Montbrés in 1201; in 1793, the commune formed a single municipality with nearby Trois-Puits.

It is a small vineyard: 42.4 ha for 32 winegrowers according to the UMC, with Pinot Noir at 47%, Meunier at 38%, and Chardonnay at 15%. The plots lie between 130 and 163 meters, with moderate slopes (5.3% on average) and varied aspects, especially east, west, northeast, and north-facing. According to the Comité Champagne, Pinot Noir brings body and structure; Meunier, which buds late and is less vulnerable to frost, contributes roundness and fruit.

On the hill overlooking the village stand the ruins of a mill and the Fort of Montbré, part of the fortified belt of Reims built under the Séré de Rivières system, which, despite its name, lies within the territory of Taissy. An episode in the First Battle of the Marne was fought there between September 2 and 5, 1914, and the commune received the Croix de guerre in 1921. On the échelle des crus, Montbré was rated 94%, and the regulations for AOC Champagne list it among the Premier Cru communes.

When a Montbré Champagne joins the STELT selection, it appears below. The village is marked on the map of Champagne.