Limestone and chalk are the same thing. The following content is accessible for members only, please sign in.

Limestone and chalk are not exactly the same. Specifically: chalk is limestone, but limestone is not necessarily chalk. Here’s the story: Limestone is a marine sedimentary rock made from seashells and fine-grain precipitates of calcium carbonate. It can form under a variety of conditions; therefore, there are many different types, including chalk and marl (calcium carbonate mixed with clay and silt), both of which are found in the soils of Champagne. Not all types of limestone are conducive to grape-growing — but chalk is. Defined as soft limestone that is porous, chalk allows for easy root penetration. It provides good drainage and works well with high-acid grapes. It is, as a result, especially appreciated in Champagne, where the climate leads to grapes with high acidity and the rainfall requires good drainage.