Villers-Allerand

Villers-Allerand lies on the northern slope of the Montagne de Reims, 9 km south of Reims, between Rilly-la-Montagne and Sermiers, in the terroir that the UMC calls Grande Montagne de Reims; woods cover almost half the commune. In the 10th century, Hugh Capet granted the land as a fief to the Abbey of Saint-Remi in Reims; by the 14th century, the village was known for its red wine, mentioned in 1364 for the coronation of Charles V.

The 132.1 ha of vineyards, divided among 64 winegrowers, lie at altitude, between 144 and 196 meters, with an average slope of 10% and varied exposures, mainly east, north, northeast and northwest. Meunier covers 50%, Pinot Noir 31%, and Chardonnay 19%. L'UMC notes vineyards belonging to Laurent-Perrier and Leclerc Briant.

In 1752, Nicolas Bidet added «Villers-Allerans» to the list of the most renowned wines of Champagne, and in 1816 André Jullien placed its red wines in the second class. In the last échelle des crus, it was rated 90%, the Premier Cru threshold confirmed by the regulations. In the 19th century, the hamlet of Mont-Chenot prospered with brick and tile kilns. The Church of Sainte-Agathe, fountains and washhouses remain, along with Château de la Rosière, bequeathed to the city of Reims in 1910 for an open-air school.

The wines from Villers-Allerand available from STELT, Champagne and Coteaux Champenois, are listed below; the village is on the Champagne map.