Tour France's 'La Champagne' - the region. Enjoy 'le champagne' - the wine.
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The independent
traveller’s guide
to Champagne:
the region and its wine
A trip to Champagne would be nice,
Go once and you’ll want to go twice;
The countryside’s fine,
The wine is divine,
And the people are awfully nice.
Wine Destination
Publications Ltd.
44, Oakland Avenue,
Droitwich Spa
WR9 7BT UK
Tel: +44 (0)1905 773707
There can be few experiences more enjoyable than tasting champagnes in the cellars where they were created. This, after all, is the main reason why so many people keep going back, to visit old friends and make new ones! Most, but not all, of the big merchant houses and co- operatives have organised visitor facilities where you can buy their champagnes and other gifts. It is very much a public relations operation that enables consumers to get to know the house, understand its values and appreciate its wines. At the smaller merchant houses and co-ops visits are given by members of the management team.
Winegrowers are farmers who don't have large public relations budgets to support cellar tours. You will invariably be taken around by a member of the family who has plenty of other things to do but Champagne hospitality demands that while you are on their premises you are their honoured guest. It is also important to recognise that they make their living from selling champagne and not taking visitors around.
You will always be offered a tasting of one, two or more of their champagnes and, if you like them, it is a wonderful opportunity to buy. You will find the winegrower's prices at the cellar door excellent value, costing less than the wines sold by the big merchant houses in their boutiques. However, if circumstances prohibit purchasing then it is only polite to explain this from the beginning and be prepared to pay a small charge for the visit and tasting. Click below for...
Winegrowers are farmers who don't have large public relations budgets to support cellar tours. You will invariably be taken around by a member of the family who has plenty of other things to do but Champagne hospitality demands that while you are on their premises you are their honoured guest. It is also important to recognise that they make their living from selling champagne and not taking visitors around.
You will always be offered a tasting of one, two or more of their champagnes and, if you like them, it is a wonderful opportunity to buy. You will find the winegrower's prices at the cellar door excellent value, costing less than the wines sold by the big merchant houses in their boutiques. However, if circumstances prohibit purchasing then it is only polite to explain this from the beginning and be prepared to pay a small charge for the visit and tasting. Click below for...
Champagne Aube
Shaking the
bottles after
disgorgement
bottles after
disgorgement
