Any recommendations on wineries to stop at along this drive for a cellar tour and taste? It's mentioned in Rick Steves' book on France that most wineries along this drive require reservations. Would our limited time be better spent here than touring one of the large Champagne caves in Reims?
Posted by
Sunriver
1321 posts
Our fav is Veuve Clicquot in Reims, but Taittinger was very cool too. But in Epernay you can't go wrong walking up the Avenue de Champagne
Posted by
Westford, MA
212 posts
Tattinger appears to be closed until 2024.
Posted by
Los Angeles, CA
700 posts
There were several Champagne tasting rooms right in Rheims just across from the big park with the Roman wall. When I first went there, that Roman wall was just sitting there - this 2000 year old relic just sitting there. When I went back a few year later they had scaffolding around it. Anyway, the tasting room was economical but not super charming. There was a well dressed young woman offering tastes.
Posted by
11569 posts
We enjoyed our tour of the cellars at Moet e Chandon in Epernay
Posted by
Bristol, UK
1403 posts
The large Champagne houses are well worth seeing. Ruinart is very grand with an enormous cellar. I also visited a small family producer which was just as interesting in a different way.
Posted by
91 posts
Pommery Caves in Reims--fantastic, champagne caves delightfully filled with wondrous and imaginative art installations among the 1000's of bottles. Booked online for a timed entry, a self-guided tour of Pommery caves came with a "map" which clearly explained the cave history, particular sites, and art.
Followed by 2 delicious Pommery champagnes, this accessible (from the outside, as 100+ stairs lead to the caves inside) site is highly recommended. I have experienced over a dozen wine & other tasting tours in the 17 European countries I have visited. Not previously a champagne fan, I realized, thru Pommery, that I can appreciate a good one (or 2). ab