Excursion to Champagne

Reims is the historic heart of Champagne. It boasts a majestic Gothic cathedral, where French monarchs have been crowned for centuries. Its façade is like lacework of stone, with hundreds of statues reaching skyward in frozen prayer. There are over 2,000 figures, the most famous being the "Smiling Angel" and, of course, the stained-glass windows by Marc Chagall. Beneath the city's surface lie kilometers of chalk tunnels where millions of bottles are aged. We'll visit one of the famous houses, such as Veuve Clicquot, Taittinger, or Pommery, and descend into their cool cellars.

Epernay is nestled among gentle hills and endless vineyards. Here lies the famous Avenue de Champagne, home to historic champagne houses such as Moêt & Chandon, Perrier-Jouët, and others. Beneath this avenue lie kilometers of underground cellars, storing millions of bottles of champagne. I invite you to a small, family-run distillery in a small village where a small amount of champagne is produced, allowing for superior quality. This visit is for you and only you! This distillery does not open its doors to mass tourism. We will explore in detail: what Brut, Extra Brut, and Demi-sec are, the differences between Blanc de Blancs and Blanc de Noirs, what vintage champagne is, and how blends are created from different years and plots.

I'll pick you up in Paris in a comfortable, luxury Mercedes Class V minivan. The drive to Reims takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. A walking tour of Reims Cathedral. Lunch at an authentic French restaurant, away from the tourist crowds. A taste of French cuisine. Next, transfer to Epernay. The journey takes approximately 30 minutes. A stop in the vineyards. Drive along Avenue de Champagne. Then, a drive to a nearby village. A tour of the family-run winery's production facilities. During the tasting, we compare styles, learn to appreciate acidity and texture, discuss finishes, and discuss age and maturation.