Champagne Lovers
To all of you, Champagne lovers: did you know that Champagne is a sparkling wine that comes from the eponymous region in France? It is protected by an appellation d'origine contrôlée (AOC), meaning that its grapes need to come from the Champagne territory, and its production involves very strict fermentation steps.
The Champagne region (illustrated below) is located approximately 150 km East of Paris. It is easily accessible by train, bus or car.
*Train tickets are quiet cheap from Paris, and you can easily make a day-trip there.
There are two main cities you can go to if you wish to visit Champagne cellars: Reims & Épernay. If you rent a car and decide to spend a few days in this region, there is definitely more to see, but if you're short on time, I would suggest choosing one of these two cities.
Reims
This city (population of ~186k) is very well known for its stunning cathedral, Notre-Dame-de-Reims. Many large champagne producing houses have their headquarters there too. If you go to Reims, you won't be disappointed as there are lots of things to visit, and you will eat very well!
Some houses in Reims include: Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin, Mumm, Taittinger, Piper-Heidsieck, Ruinart, and many more.
Épernay
This much smaller commune (population of ~24k) is well-known for its Champagne Avenue where you can find multiple Champagne houses located along one main street. It's much easier to visit Épernay if you're walking than it is to visit Reims. Also, in Épernay you might be able to visit vineyards, not only cellars.
Some houses in Épernay include: Moët & Chandon (Dom Pérignon), Perrier-Jouët, Pol Roger, Mercier, and many more.
Each house of Champagne usually offers visits that include a tour of their cellar and a wine tasting. You have different options when it comes to Champagne tasting, meaning you can choose which ones you want to taste (brut, demi-sec, rosé, etc.). I would suggest checking their availabilities and pricing on their Website, and booking your visit in advance if you're travelling during high season.
During your visit, you'll learn all the secrets about how they produce their Champagne, including the two-step fermentation process and how long it takes to make Champagne. You'll also learn more about the grapes that are used to make these delicious wines (Pinot Noir, Chardonnay & Pinot Meunier), and how to differentiate the various types of Champagne.
If you're a Champagne lover like me, I strongly encourage you to check out this region 🥂