Champagne is a region steeped in history, filled with gracious hospitality, unforgettable cuisine, and reminders of its royal heritage—not to mention the world’s greatest sparkling wine. All these delights are located within 90 minutes of Paris. Fly into Charles de Gaulle airport (CDG) and make the journey by high-speed train or charter a private jet and arrive at one of the smaller regional airports that serve as a gateway to the area. Regardless of how you make the trip, you’ll discover a region that caters to the interests of discerning and affluent travelers.
For the most part, Champagne is a blended wine, a combination of chardonnay, pinot noir, and pinot meunier; the blend varies according to the style of each house. The fragrance and charm come from the chardonnay, while the black grapes provide depth and richness. Five regions make up Champagne—Aube, Côte des Blancs, Côte de Cézanne, Montagne de Reims, and Vallée de la Marne—each with its own distinctive identity. Its two major cities, Épernay and Reims, serve as an introduction to the region.
Wine has been made in Champagne for well over 1,000 years, inspired by the success of Burgundy to the south. Initially, most of the production was still wine until it was discovered—by accident—that the area’s cold temperatures caused the wine to hibernate over the winter and ferment again in the spring, releasing carbon dioxide. Nicolas Ruinart founded the first Champagne house in 1729, but it was the earlier vineyard and cellar work of Dom Pierre Pérignon, a Benedictine monk, who established Champagne as the category we know today.
Épernay
Surrounded by vines and regarded as the capital of Champagne, Épernay is an appropriate place to begin your visit. Stroll down the Avenue de Champagne, a UNESCO World Heritage site home to a parade of famous houses. The chalky limestone composition of the soil makes this a perfect site for aging wine, and the underground cellars are reputed to hold more than 200 million bottles.
Be sure to reserve an appointment at Moët et Chandon, whether you indulge in the Iconic Visit, Imperial Instant, or Grand Vintage Visit. Don’t miss a tasting at Dom Pérignon, the luxury cuvée of Moët, first produced in 1921 and only released in the finest vintage years.
To discover how exceptional the best Champagne can be, arrange a visit to Krug. Founded in 1843 by Joseph Krug and still managed by his descendants, their signature Grande Cuvée is a blend of many different vintage years to achieve a consistent, spectacular result. After you taste it, you’ll appreciate the meaning of the old saying: “There is Champagne, and then there is Krug.”
If you only have one day in Épernay, there’s an essential stop that should not be missed:
Maison Perrier-Jouët: Located on the famous Avenue de Champagne, Maison Perrier-Jouët is a calming sanctuary that combines art, nature, gastronomy—and of course, great wine.
The house dates to 1810, when Pierre Nicolas Perrier married Rose Adélaide Jouët. The couple began producing Champagne from family-owned vineyards, and soon were exporting to Great Britain and the U.S. Their luxury cuvée, Belle Epoque, was created during the height of the Art Nouveau movement at the start of the 20th century. Artist Emile Gallé created the famous bottle design that recreates a spray of Japanese white anemones.
Today, the Art Nouveau heritage is central to the image of the house: Every year, Perrier-Jouët commissions an artistic talent to reinterpret its connection to the creative energy of the movement. Those works are on display at the Cellier Belle Epoque at Maison Perrier-Jouët, a lovingly restored building that opens into a richly landscaped inner courtyard. More than just a wine bar, Cellier Belle Epoque blends nature with modern interior design and serves as a focal point for tourists. Visitors can pair the house cuvées and Champagne cocktails with light, tasty fare prepared by Executive Chef Sébastien Morellon, as well as special menus devised by superstars of French cuisine such as three-star Michelin Chef Pierre Gagnaire.
In the midst of Épernay, Maison Perrier-Jouët is truly a feast for the senses.
Reims
When Hugh Capet was crowned King of France in Reims Cathedral in 987, it was the beginning of that city’s 800-year association with royalty. First constructed in the 5th century and rebuilt many times since, the cathedral today is an awe-inspiring experience. Other high points in the city include the Palace of Tau, the Saint-Remi Basilica, and the Musée des Beaux-Arts.
When it comes to Champagne, you’ll have a hard time narrowing your choices. Veuve Clicquot, Taittinger, and Ruinart all have cellars in the city, which are open to visitors, as are the Pommery cellars and Villa Demoiselle, the beautifully restored mansion next door.
There are two destinations in Reims which are essential stops in a visit to the region:
Champagne Charles Heidsieck: Charles Heidsieck was a merchant who founded his eponymous Champagne house in 1851. He was instrumental in introducing Champagne to the U.S.; through his charismatic personality, he was known as Champagne Charlie and became a fixture of the New York City high society scene. At the same time, his strict quality standards elevated Champagne Charles Heidsieck to a privileged position in the market.
One of the triumphs of the house is the Rosé Reserve, prized by connoisseurs for its delicate fruit and ideal balance between freshness and structure. Composed of equal parts of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier, the wine is derived from the first pressing of carefully selected grapes and is aged between three and four years before being disgorged. It pairs exceptionally well with charcuterie, grilled prawns, salmon, and aged cheeses. When you taste this Champagne during a visit to the Charles Heidsieck cellars in Reims, the memory will stay with you.
G.H. Mumm: Established in 1827 as the French branch of a German winemaking family, Mumm today is one of the largest and most celebrated Champagne houses in the world. They own over 500 acres of vineyards, primarily in Grand Cru sites planted with Pinot Noir. In addition to producing world-class Champagne, Mumm has sponsored a Formula 1 racing team, hired sprinter Usain Bolt as their “Chief Entertainment Officer,” and established a sister winery in California’s Napa Valley.
The highlight of a tasting in the Mumm cellars in Reims is bound to be the RSRV Rosé Foujita. It is named for the Japanese artist Léonard Foujita, who also designed the Foujita Chapel in the gardens belonging to the Champagne house. Intensely pink in color, rich and powerful on the palate, Rosé Foujita is a blend of grapes from six Grand Cru vineyards. With a broad structure and hints of ripe berries, it is a good match with dishes ranging from salmon to red meat.
Gastronomy
Two of France’s finest restaurants are located in the region, and both are mandatory stops for any dedicated foodie:
L’Assiette Champenoise: Honored with the ultimate accolade of three Michelin stars, the restaurant was founded in 1975 by Jean-Pierre and Colette Lallemont. Today it is run by their children: sisters Magali and Mélanie, who supervise the dining room, and Chef Arnaud, who maintains the quality of the cooking. Located in an idyllic country setting, L’Assiette Champenoise contains 33 hotel rooms and suites in addition to a stellar wine cellar and unforgettable dining (assiettechampenoise.com).
Domaine Les Crayères: In the heart of Reims, Chef Philippe Mille offers refined and elegant cuisine and a list of over 600 Champagne labels at Restaurant Le Parc, holder of two Michelin stars. Guests may also dine at the less formal Brasserie Le Jardin or enjoy a drink at the stylish Bar Rotonde (lescrayeres.com).
How to Read a Champagne Label
All Champagne is fermented dry; the sweetness or dosage is added before final bottling and is expressed in grams of sugar per liter (g/L):
Brut Nature (0-3)
Extra Brut (0-6)
Brut (0-12)
Extra Dry (12-17)
Dry (17-32)
Demi-Sec (32-50)
Doux (50+)
Note that a Champagne labeled as Dry is actually quite sweet by modern standards; if you prefer dry wine, stick to the first three categories.
Here are some of the terms consumers may see on Champagne labels:
Non-Vintage (NV Brut): The entry-level wine from a Champagne producer, and a good introduction to the house style.
Vintage: A Champagne composed solely of grapes from a single vintage year.
Blanc de Blancs: Made from 100% chardonnay.
Blanc de Noirs: Made exclusively from pinot noir and/or pinot meunier.
Rosé: A pink-colored wine, usually dry, made either by skin contact between with and red grapes, or by a mixture of the two.
Prestige Cuvée: The top offering from a Champagne house.
Examples include Dom Pérignon (Moët et Chandon), Cristal (Louis Roederer), and La Grande Dame (Veuve Clicquot).
What Makes Champagne Unique?
The méthode champenoise is a long and labor-intensive process. The wine is first fermented normally, then bottled with a mixture of yeast and sugar to promote the second fermentation and release carbon dioxide. Non-vintage Champagne must be aged in the bottle for at least 15 months before release, as opposed to three years for vintage selections; in practice, the aging process is usually much longer.
Champagne is one of the world’s most recognized luxury brands and is a joy to consume. More importantly, it is closely intertwined with gaiety, great cuisine, and the celebration of the good life in all its forms.