Champagne
 

We are going to the Champagne region for a few days next month. I want to visit some wine cellars to taste and take a tour or two. We speak limited French though, does anybody know of places that the proprietors speak English? We will have a car and being a wine enthusiast from California, I have a lot of questions.

Hi jd -

I went to the Champagne region last month and I am actually headed there again this weekend - so if I don't answer your question please let me know!

Reims is the Capital of the region. There you can go see the Champagne Caves and take tours/tastings. I went on a Sunday, so a few were closed (such as Veuve cliquot) but many were open (we went to Mumm, Pommery, Tattinger and Piper-Heidsieck). You need to make a reservation to see a few... the tourist office can help you with that once you get there or you can go online to the champagne houses websites. Piper-Heidsieck had a ride/tour (which, if you are scared of the dark is NOT for you) and provides biscuits with the tasting so it was the most tourist friendly but I have a personal preference for Mumm.

If you plan to see the vineyards and chateaux, you need to head to a different region called Epernay. I am not sure of the policy but if you can email me next week and ask!
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My husband & I visited the Champagne region several years ago and found that almost everyone spoke English. We arrived in Eperney on the first day and just walked into Moet & Chandon cellars and took a guided tour of their cellars with an excellent English speaking guide.

We really loved the feel of Eperney but Reims have alot of houses to tour as well. We made no advance reservations.
You will love this area!!

Right - in Reims we had not a single problem finding English. Although, Di, I think the policy has changed because we were required to make reservations through the tourism office for Mumm and Pommery when we got there at the beginning of the day. Perhaps it was just for weekends...

In Rheims, we also had a great English tour at Tattinger with a very interesting tourguide.

I also loved the restaurant Les Vignerons, where we had a tasting menu with a different Champagne with each course. This was about five years ago, so I am not sure if it is still there or still good, though.

Finally, don't miss the cathedral in Rheims. It is well worth a quick visit.

On the other hand, I was very excited to see the Corots at their small city museum but found it kind of disappointing.