Champagne

[Gecko]

Anyone know any good places to visit the west around Epernay/ Reims ? I'm down there next weekend and looking for some ideas. The guide books look filled with interesting places but i'd like to get some champagne tasting in and visit something out of town if possible. Always nice to have some insider tips if anyone has some good experiences of the region. Ta

 

[Bert]

Champagne Houses

Pretty much all of them run educational tours around their premises and cellars - just ring them up to find the times - might get a free sniff but always plenty of stock to buy there

 

[Mutley]

There are more champagne houses in Eperney than in Reims and the hotels are plentifull and cheap too. The tourist information office is in the centre of town (follow the signs, it's a big roundabout, you can't miss it!). They will sort you out some accommadation at whatever price you want to pay. They also have maps for free with everything marked on them.

The Rue de Champagne runs up the hill from the centre of town and most of the main places on it. Certainly Moet (half way up on the right) and Mercier (at the top) are worth a visit and despite being owned by the same company have very different philosophies. It's nice to contrast them with any of the small producers so take your pick of these.

Most tours make a nominal charge and give you a glass of bubbly at the end. The Moet and Mercier tours have upgrades that allow a better quality tasting and it's worth doing it once. The small houses can be very generous in the hope that you'll buy!

Stay in Eperney then you can walk and drink!

 

[Wapping]

You are not a million miles away from the Maginot Line.

Well worth a look.

http://www.bunkertours.co.uk/the_maginot_line.htm and assorted other sites.

 

[Gecko]

Cheers guys. Anyone got any recommendations for smaller ' off the beaten track' champagne houses ?

 

[Sir James]

Cheers guys. Anyone got any recommendations for smaller ' off the beaten track' champagne houses ?

Try here if your in the area

. N 48'57.351

. E 004'21.324

Very small place , we bought some for a christening and i think it was a Rose' or pink as some call it

Sorry don't know the address , it's of the GPS

 

[Mutley]

Cheers guys. Anyone got any recommendations for smaller ' off the beaten track' champagne houses ?

I'm afraid I can't remember what it's called but i know where it is

If you stand at the bottom of the Rue de Champagne and look up the hill then you need to take the turning on the right off the traffic island. There is a small champagne house down there about 100 yds. It has a small shop in the front and the bottles are transferred down into the caves by a chain link hand cranked system. Their vintage stuff is reasonable and very good

 

[Jarvy]

We did the Moet tour a couple of years ago, paid for tasting 5 different types but nice lady taking the tour took a shine to me. Yes I got pissed and the wife had to help me out

 

[JohnnyOldBoy]

Pommery Champagne Tour

I had a memorable night with Pommery a couple of years ago.

We had a tour of the caves where the Champagne is stored followed by opening a bottle of Champagne with a sabre.

Afterwards we had a superb dinner in a private room with all the Champagne you could drink. One type with a starter, another with the main course and a rose to finish.

It cost about 130Euro per head but was fantastic.

Johnny

 

[wessie]

I stayed for 2 nights in Reims on the way back from the Black Forest last year.

A while ago, I did the Mumm tour. Quite intersting. Very slick, corporate job. One tiny glass of Red Stripe, as wasted by Formula One drivers.

On the last trip I went around the GH Martel cellars. Their old ones, no longer used for production as that is now in Epernay. Very interesting, more rustic. Excellent dégustation with four different wines for just 6 Euros per person.
http://www.maisons-champagne.com/liste_maisons/cha_martel_reims.htm

Easy to find, not far from the Basilique St Remi.

 

[wildernessrob]

I stayed in Reims last summer, and did a mini tour of the champagne houses, in the area & a visit to the cathedral. Reims city centre has got a wide pedestrianised area, which is nice if you like cafe culture and people watching.

We also did a day trip to Verdun to visit the forts & museums, which is very interesting if you are into military history, and yet another beautiful area of France.

 

[Alan1963]

On a number of occassions I've stayed in/around Reims/Epernay and have visited several cellars; Moet, Piper Heidseck, Pommery and Tattinger to name a few. They seem to divide into two types - the glitzy (Moet / Piper-H) where you get videos/lights/train rides through the cellars etc and the informative (Tattinger/Pommery) where you get a guided walking tour through the cellars. I'd vote for the latter everytime (though my kids liked the glitzy ones!). Tattinger remains my favourite having done it 2 or 3 times over the years.

 

[BAKERMAN]

LANDGASTHOF, Gut Marienbildchen, Munsterbildchen 3, 52159 Roetgen.

0 24 71 /25 23

best place in the World to stop eat and stay,

 

[Den]

Troll down to Troyes from Reims. Cant remember the road No but I think its known as the Champagne trail or summit like that. Troyes is lovely, the road down there is even better.

 

[Keith Chapman]

Have look at Gueux, site of the French grand prix when drivers were drivers . the grandstand & pits are still there.

more info on google.