{"id":470,"date":"2007-03-25T10:05:46","date_gmt":"2007-03-25T10:05:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/frenchduck.com\/latest\/uncategorized\/tips-for-visiting-champagne"},"modified":"2022-11-26T17:03:34","modified_gmt":"2022-11-26T17:03:34","slug":"tips-for-visiting-champagne","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/frenchduck.com\/latest\/tips-for-visiting-champagne\/","title":{"rendered":"Tips for visiting Champagne"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"Champagne<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Jon Catt<\/a> is an Englishman living in the Champagne region who offers guided tours in the region – and he offers some tips to get the best out of your wine tour of the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“In the big houses if you take the basic tour you get the basic tasting. It\u2019s what one of my clients described as wedding champagne.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mercier<\/strong><\/a>. Take the train and learn nothing! In Mercier once you\u2019re in the cellars you see nothing. The guide\u2019s commentary is never complete because the train is too fast. The tasting room is an equivalent of an airport lounge and a mortuary.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Castellane<\/strong><\/a>. They just want to get you through and out. The tasting is in what looks like a large dance hall. There\u2019s little help with the details of the different champagnes.

Moet et Chandon<\/a><\/strong> – the best big house visit in Epernay<\/strong>. If you take the basic tour the tasting is in an underground room that\u2019s as damp and warm as a changing room after a football match. Pay a bit more and it\u2019s class.<\/em>In December <\/span><\/strong>Les Habits d’Epernay<\/a> takes place when Epernay<\/strong> celebrates Champagne with Champagne stalls and tastings, cookery demonstrations, son-et-lumiere, vintage car display.

Pommery<\/a><\/strong>. The tour of the former quarries is very impressive. If you take the basic tour you do the tasting in the large impersonal welcome area. I once had champagne there that was like a drink you find after a party.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ruinart<\/a>. <\/strong>You have to book but it\u2019s worth it and the champagne is always very good.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Small growers<\/strong>. First get the guides from the different tourist offices. There\u2019s always one in English. They\u2019ll tell you if the owner speaks English. There\u2019s always a family welcome. You\u2019ll often be guided in the tasting by the person who made the champagne. Find one you like and you\u2019ll want to come back. When you visit a small grower you\u2019ll often see English clients who come regularly to fill the boot of their car. Small growers are the proof that the best champagne is not the most expensive.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Try for example Leclerc Briant<\/strong> <\/a>in Epernay or Roger Brun<\/strong><\/a> in Ay.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

NB Champagne Leclerc Briant owns the Royal Champagne Hotel<\/a> in Epernay<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do not forget the Aube<\/strong> (the most southerly Champagne producing region – often overlooked)e.g. Champagne Veuve Devaux<\/a> in Bar-sur-Aube<\/strong><\/em>(10 Aube, Grand Est<\/em>). This department has some of the top small grower champagnes” <\/em>
See more about Jon Catt’s Champagne Tours<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are numerous Champagne vineyards which offer holiday accommodation (B&B, self-catering or hotel) – see our other site at Frenchvineyard.co.uk<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

see our Top 30 vineyard B&Bs in France<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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find cheap flights and plane tickets<\/a><\/span> from Booking.com<\/p>\n\n\n\n

somewhere to stay, a ferry, a train or car hire?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Frenchvineyard<\/strong>.co.uk<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n


stay on a French vineyard<\/mark><\/a><\/strong> – over 250 vineyards featured across France – hotels, B&B, self-catering \"\"<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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