Days of duration:
Highliths:
Guidance:
7 days
Pastry tours, Champagne tastings, elegant strolls through Parisian markets.
With or without guide
The region of Champagne is located about 90 km from Paris. Because of its proximity, visiting this region is undoubtedly a great option for a day trip from Paris. Paris-Champagne can be easily done by train. There are daily options departing from Gare du Nord station directly into the towns of Reims or Epernay. You can purchase tickets on the SNCF website.
But if the goal is to make the most of this day, to visit the most interesting producers, to explore the region in detail, we strongly suggest you to rent a car. Even a day trip can become an extraordinary experience. On our exclusive tour: Visit to Champagne with a Sommelier, you will be guided through vineyards, villages, winemakers and spectacular and inhospitable churches.
Champagne, drink of the Kings:
The wine tradition in Champagne is quite old: it dates back to the time of the Romans. They planted the first vines. The vineyard of Champagne was then maintained thanks to the attention given by the clergy and in particular the religious communities of Reims and Châlons.
It is known that the first king of France, Clovis, by a mixture of politics and geographical location was sacred king in Champagne and consequently, its coronation was bathed to wines of the region in the day of Christmas of year 496. A few years later (and until the nineteenth century), after harboring dozens of royal weddings and festivities, the city of Reims, in the heart of the Champagne region, has officially become the heart of the French Kings.
Its success soon spread to the aristocratic elites of the whole world and by the nineteenth century thanks to the dynamism and strength of the Maisons producing Champagne, the drink became the symbol of the French spirit. However, it is worth mentioning that Champagne as we know today did not appear until the 17th century, when the producers began to control the natural fermentation of wine.
The history of Champagne and its invention
You have probably heard that it was monk Dom Pérignon who invented Champagne. The story unfortunately is not quite so … Dom Pérignon, monk of the monastery of St. Pierre d’Hautvillers from 1668 until his death in 1715, was indeed one of the first in Champagne to adopt a grounded approach to wine development. Dom Pérignon contributed mainly to implement the delicate art of the assemblage and was also the first, at least in Champagne, to use corks to replace the broquelet (wood stopper full of hemp), which allowed a more hermetic closure of the bottles.
However, the development of sparkling wines requires the control of many other parameters such as the presence of sugar in constant quantity or the use of bottles that can withstand the internal pressure generated from the fermentation process in the bottle. In the time of Dom Pérignon, this was not still mastered.
Maison Ruinart
Maison Ruinart was the first house to be established in Champagne, it has existed since 1729 and is recognized by the unique shape of its bottles. Once you get down to the cellars you will surely marvel at the labyrinth of chambers at a depth of more than 35 meters. Throughout the property you will find works of art. The brand has worked with several artists since 2006 to order special pieces, including Dustin Yellin and Maarten Baas. It is famous for its blanc-de-blancs Champagne made 100% with Chardonnay grapes.
Maison Perrier-Jouët
In addition to producing one of the best Champagnes in the world, Maison Perrier-Jouët is also home to Europe’s largest private collection of Art Nouveau. However, what is perhaps more captivating are the contemporary pieces dotted throughout the Maison, a stark contrast to the house decorated in classic French style. In addition, of course, a winery dating back to 1825.
Maison Billecart-Salmon
Billecart-Salmon, is a family property in its sixth generation, the house is run by François Roland-Billecart, who lives on the estate, just like his father. The Maison includes the vineyards, an excellent winery and a lush garden. If you are looking for a remarkable brut rosé, this is the place.
Maison Veuve Clicquot
Madame Clicquot, who took over the champagne house at the age of 27 after her husband’s untimely death, made great strides in the world of winemaking. She is behind ther first sparkling wine recorded in the region and invented the cleaning table, a method of dispelling yeast sediments from the bottles that is still used today.
Maison Dom Pérignon
Dom Pérignon – whose “founder”, Monsignor Pierre Pérignon regarded as the father of champagne – offers a new way to discover his brand through interactive sessions with house experts. The «Atelier Dom Pérignon» was designed to create a more intimate relationship with the Dom Pérignon universe, based on “experimental” and aimed at curious and passionate amateurs.
Maison Moët & Chandon
Moët & Chandon offers the unique testimony of several centuries of development of these world-famous champagnes, the talent of the winemakers and the inheritance of a know-how transmitted from generation to generation by the wine masters. Imagine that Napoleon Bonaparte made this his favorite home, even creating his “Imperial Moët & Chandon” collection.
Maison Krug
Johann Josef Krug created this house in 1843 and soon built a great reputation. No wonder the Maison remains familiar for 6 generations. Their Champagnes have a great differential: their wines are always aged for at least six years with a vinification in small barrels. The result is a resounding taste balance and a Champagne virtually impossible to beat.