Despite being a city girl at heart, I still crave a countryside escape. And when vineyards are involved, especially those holding grapes for Moët & Chandon, the appeal is even stronger!
Luckily, the Champagne region of France is just a short trip to Reims from Paris where I have been visiting a lot lately! I took a day trip and joined Sparkling Tours on an afternoon champagne tasting expedition. Although it's not my first trip to the region, this tour was unlike my first, but equally as enjoyable and I still learnt a lot! (you can read about my weekend in Champagne in 2019 here).
This time, the tour departed Reims and began with a scenic drive towards Epernay, rolling hills covered with grapevines, traveling along the famed Avenue de Champagne.
We visited two smaller, family run, champagne houses:
* Maitre Geoffroy: Our guide expertly explained the production process and the intricate champagne caves beneath the house. Learning about the meticulous rules for grape-growing and champagne production made me appreciate (even more!) the dedication behind every glass.
* Michel Fagot: This producer supplies grapes to big names like Lanson, Moët & Chandon, and Veuve Clicquot. But luckily, they also craft their own champagne! We savoured three delicious glasses and even bought a few bottles to take home.
A fact you may not know about Champagne - the aging process stops during the production process, so champagne is not to be kept for an occasion in the distant future, but to be enjoyed "fresh" i.e. no more than a few years. My takeaway? Champagne is not to be saved for a rainy day, but drunk immediately...
We bypassed the major houses for a unique experience, learning about production and enjoying exquisite champagnes unavailable outside France. But if you want to visit the major houses, they are conveniently located in the city of Reims, and it's best to book directly with them for a tasting time.
Our champagne adventure concluded with a quick train ride back to Paris, arriving in a mere 45 minutes! This trip reaffirmed my love for the French wine culture, and love of the bubbly stuff!
And now, to find the perfect occasion to pop one of those bottles...
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