We will be in Reims a few days before our tour begins on June 28. RS recommends Mumms because the tour does not visit it. Has anyone visited other champagne caves in Reims? Recommendations? I do like my champagne!
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Tel Aviv
15784 posts
First, when you arrive, check with the TI. There's one at the train station and one next to the cathedral. Also get a map there. They will be able to book tours for you and give you information on which houses have tours available during your stay. I took the TER train to Epernay for a day and enjoyed the Mercier tour (and Epernay). The tours I took in Reims were Taittinger and Martel, which are only a couple minutes apart on foot. While you're there stop in and see Basilique Saint-Remi just a block or two away. I liked it more than the cathedral. I also enjoyed visiting the Musee de la Redition (Surrender).
I was there last month and none of the tours were full. I imagine by the end of June it will be different. The 3 tours were very different and I was glad to have done all of them. Taittinger was the stingiest on tasting, Martel was very liberal, and Mercier was good (I went for the 3 tastings).
In Epernay, I passed several places that offered champagne by the glass, but I didn't have time to enjoy any. I think every cafe in the area serves champagne by the glass, so you certainly won't be limited to tours to get your bubbly.
Be sure to take a warm jacket with you. The caves are cold.