Champagne road trip

[Frippe]

Doing a road trip to Champagne region over a long weekend for some champagne tasting/buying. Looking for tips on good roads, champagne houses to visit and places to stay/visit.

[G Man]

Mercier is the biggest and has a great underground tunnel tour ... based in Epernay

http://www.champagnemercier.fr/en/#/cellar-visits

[IanA2]

My favourite champagne.

http://www.champagne-gosset.com/fre/La-Maison/La-T...

[Squadrone Rosso]

Make sure you visit the historic Riems circuit

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g18...

[huwp]

Been a few times including in the Caterham.

With the Long Haired Sergeant Major I've always stayed at Chateaux Etoges - fantastic place. Have a look at their website. My favorite fizz, Borel Lucas, is located in the same village. If you're buying enough they will likely give you a personal tour.

Otherwise I've always stayed in Reims in the Hotel de La Paix. Quite swish in a modern way and has an underground car park.

Personally I prefer to stay in Reims to Epernay as there is more to do in the evening. I've eaten at a couple of fantastic restaurants in Reims.

As for roads I'd recommend the Route de La Champagne. Mostly quiet country roads that are amazing to drive and usually very quiet. Best just to get off the main roads and explore.

I know the southern champagne region less well but Troyes is stunning.

Have fun.

[Behemoth]

huwp said:

Best just to get off the main roads and explore.

This

We stay over in Champagne at least once a year one our way to & from S France to stock up on fizz.

Certainly go to one of the big houses to see a vast cellar. It's a must. I've done a few; Moet and Castellane come to mind. Mumm sponsors F1 at the mo so may be worth a visit. They're sure to display F1 jeroboams or some such. The big brands get jam packed in the season. If you have to stick with Epernay & Reims, try smaller places with a pretty chateau like Comtesse Lafond.

Better fizz and much better value is to be had away from Reims & Epernay. Not to mention more personable and characterful hosts on the tastings. There are hundreds. Pick up one of the annual French wine guides and head off into the hills. I get a Guide Hachette des Vins every few years.

I'm a fan of Les Riceys, at the very end of Champagne territory near Troyes. Some great rose there, too. Departementale roads there are very pretty and empty. If you've the time, head off south to Beaune on one of them and pick up some very classy red before returning on a different departementale back north. Unforgettable meandering well paved tracks through forests, little villages and vineyards.

[Squadrone Rosso]

+1 to this :-

Otherwise I've always stayed in Reims in the Hotel de La Paix. Quite swish in a modern way and has an underground car park.

[Frippe]

Great, many thanks for all the suggestions. Will book in 1-2 larger tours and then try to do a couple smaller - can you just pop up at a smaller place on Sat/Sun and expect them to be open?

[huwp]

Frippe said:

Great, many thanks for all the suggestions. Will book in 1-2 larger tours and then try to do a couple smaller - can you just pop up at a smaller place on Sat/Sun and expect them to be open?

You certainly can. Some have a board out indicating they are "open"; others may require you to ring a buzzer. Usually this means that someone has to tear themselves away from another chore. You may find that some will close on a Sunday.

Most of the smaller houses rely on passing trade.

Get someone else to drive if you plan on several tastings!

[Behemoth]

Frippe said:

Great, many thanks for all the suggestions. Will book in 1-2 larger tours and then try to do a couple smaller - can you just pop up at a smaller place on Sat/Sun and expect them to be open?

Look at the Hachette guide book which will give opening times and will tell you if you need to call to book. I always call anyway - common courtesy.

[lockhart flawse]

We're staying in Epernay for a couple of days in July. First time for us so not quite sure how it works but we are planning on a visit to a big name and a smaller one - Comtesse Lafond has been recommended.

Anyone been recently and got any pointers please?

[Stuart J]

Look for a small town called Ludes, prob about 10 Miles from Epinay, has a lot of small Independant champagne houses, try a few to do some tasting to find what you fancy, cheaper than the big houses and there are some from the small houses that taste better IMHO . Also if you haven't done so before make sure you try some of the pink champagne , prob 20% more expensive but I think the extras worth it . Of the big houses I've been to I think Mercier your is worth doing if you are new to champagne production

Enjoy the trip