One day in Reims - which champagne house to visit?
 

Suggestions most welcome.

Do you want art-deco, modern, posh, famous chain, family firm?

Go to Moet and Chandon in nearby Epernay.

Good question! Five retired adults, never been to one, something that can be reserved (if needed) on the day of arrival. No other particular requirements.

I would go to Dom Perignon

We enjoyed our visit to Taittinger last time we were in Reims - September 2018. We made our reservation the same day we visited - bring a sweater or jacket, as it is chilly the further down one goes. Nice tasting at the end.

We were in Reims last September and met a lovely couple from Austria on the lime green bus. We went to Vranken Pommery. We really enjoyed it.
From the interwebs: https://www.vinotrip.com/en/partners...ranken-pommery

In 2019 we spent a day in Reims and toured Pommery and Taittinger - both were very enjoyable. We made reservations in advance for English speaking tours. Below is a link to my trip report for that day. Post #23 has a description and post #38 has some pictures from that day.

https://www.fodors.com/community/eur...019-a-1671568/

I prefer Epernay as so many houses are easy walks along the Avenue (the most beautiful .... blah blah etc) but if you prefer to stay in Reims (pron Rence) then https://maisons-champagne.com/en/hou...lla-demoiselle is a lovely building to visit. Honestly I'm not a great fan of Champagne unless you are spending north of £150 and for that much money I expect much better service, however that is a good visit. Reims has many Art Deco and Art Nouveau buildings around and as a change from the cathedral they make a good tour as well.

If you decide to take the trip to Epernay, the ride in the train over the hill is a delight.

Taittinger gives a very good tour.

We enjoyed the Taittigner tour, and also liked Moet et Chandon when we went to Epernay. If you aren't going outside Reims, Taittinger is a good choice.

Have to suggest Ruinart in Reims. Their caves are just spectacular (as is the whole property).

If you end up in Epernay then strongly suggest skipping the larger houses for Billecart-Salmon in Mareuil Sur Ay. Lovely property and top notch tour and tasting…more personal and less commercial.

We're planning a day in Epernay in January, taking the train in from Paris. We'll likely do the Moet tour, but then looking for a smaller more boutique second house...what would you suggest?

Martel - 30 min walk? Take Citadine Bus? Few blocks from Taittinger
Gives a homey contrast to Taittinger's big-business style. Small operation w less extensive caves and w/o doubt the best deal in town! A tasting of 3 champagnes were provided when I visited.

17 rue des Creneaux

You have tacked on to a topic that is more than 2 years old. It would be better to start a new thread of your own.

I have visited and taken a tour and slept overnight as guests of a few viewers due to business connections.

One idea I would consider as I set to plow through a few of the names of popular producer (heavily advertised in your home country) would to pay attention to the vintages or non vintages who you might like; and try find out how comprehensive and how large (how many fellow participates, duration of tour; it is in one language or split between SEVERAL?). You do not want to join a group of 50 French speakers with a guide wo consensus her explanation into one sentence in English or German......

Most non-industry tours are oriented towards to the average tourist.That's fine; you do need to waste time needed to ferret out the number of cases needed for the various levels of volume discount, ir there are any.

I would try to skip a mass market grower and favor a house that produce for themselves a sometimes a small portion off their harvest, To take this seriously do need to go a good deal of reading. Or not, in this glorious-corner of France. the scenery and wine and food whll catapault you Into heaven. Imagine the two of us in a hotel once lived in by Madame Clicout, which still bore bullet market on the exterior!

What I hope to convey is this: : Do not let the famous names convince you so is it one ESTATE over another,
I would go for small with attention and pride in their heritage. And of course and tour in English would be mandatory you do not speak French,.

Wirth liimited time you could visit Rems as a daytrip by train from Paris.

Have a joyful trip and Ii am sorry I could not be of more help...its been a long time for me'1
















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