Opening the Gates to the World of Champagne
Champagne, A Legacy of Terroir and Tradition
The history of wine in Champagne dates back to the Romans, who were the first to plant vines in the region during the 3rd century. After the fall of the Roman Empire, Clovis became the first king to establish Champagne as a distinguished wine-producing area. In 496, during the festivities celebrating his coronation as King of the Franks in Reims, Champagne wines (which were not sparkling at the time) were freely consumed. This marked the first association of this renowned beverage with royalty.
Throughout the Middle Ages, the Church played a central role in managing the vineyards, as wine was consecrated and consumed during Mass. It was the monks who tended to the vineyards across France. This period, which continued until the early 19th century, also saw many French kings crowned in Reims, accompanied by celebrations featuring the region’s wines. Over the centuries, the image of Champagne became firmly established, with the wine becoming synonymous with celebration and prestige. In 1654, under the reign of Louis XIV, it was officially recognized as the wine of coronations.
During the French Revolution and the subsequent decades, the vineyards transitioned from religious ownership to that of wealthy merchants and traders, initiating a period of international expansion for Champagne.
Today, the Champagne wine-growing region spans 34,000 hectares, with three primary grape varieties cultivated across four sub-regions, including the Côte des Blancs and the Côte des Bars. While the majority of the wines produced are Champagnes, some winegrowers also produce still wines, such as Coteaux-Champenois, made from Pinot Noir or Chardonnay, and Rosé des Riceys, a remarkable short-maceration Pinot Noir from the southern part of the Champagne region.
Concierge Led for a Seamless Experience
All our wine tours in France are private and tailor-made. As we offer day trips, we also take care of your stay by recommending charming places to stay while you are in the region. We know the region's restaurants for all tastes, museums, historical guides and places of interest. Calm, precise, unique.
Three Paths to Discovery
Côte des Blancs Journey
Champagne has 4 sub-regions and our favorite is the Côte des Blancs, renowned for its ‘Blanc de Blancs’ champagnes, which are made from 100% Chardonnay. These Champagnes are floral and develop complex pastry aromas over time.
A day to discover this vineyard renowned for its Grand Cru Champagnes such as Avize, Cramant and Mesnil-sur-Oger.
In all, 3 meetings with wineries and around 15 Champagnes will be tasted during the day from different types of wineries, ranging from the small vigneron to the large, internationally renowned winery, and finally the natural/biodynamic approach.
We always bring old vintages (from the 1960s to the present day) so that you too can understand how these Champagnes have evolved over time.
We'll discuss your choice of lunch together to find out what suits you best between different restaurants, lunch with the winemaker or a picnic with a focus on certain prestigious Champagnes.
Departure can be from Reims, Epernay, Paris, Lyon or elsewhere.
This is to be discussed together and a stay of several days is possible.
Overall, you can expect, a leisurely day lasting around 8 hours, during
which we take the time to enjoy life in the company of good people
and good wines.
Champagne, Journey from the 60s
The aim of this day is to please old wine lovers - we know they exist because we do too!
The day is more or less similar to the past offer, except that lunch will be in a 19th-century manor house privatized for the occasion.
During this moment, we’ll take the time to explore the decades of wines from the 1960s to the present day in Champagne, with an 8-Champagne selection of rare vintages Champagne. Lunch will be simple, with local seasonal produce typical of Champagne gastronomy.
We recommend this offer for groups of 4 travelers or more.
Champagne, Close to nature
We like lively wines, and so do you.
This is a day for fans of natural wines and biodynamic wines, close to the land, free and inventive winemaking styles with flavors that are always disruptive.
A day to direct meeting of 3 winemakers according to different winemaking techniques such as bio or biodynamics.
Visits to small wineries with immersions in the vines and explanations of non-interventionist viticulture, visits of the wineries with explanations of sulphury-free vinification, barrel tastings.
In all, around 15 champagnes will be tasted during the day.We'll discuss your choice of lunch together to find out what suits you best between different restaurants, lunch with the winemaker or a picnic with a focus on certain prestigious wines.
Departure can be from Reims, Epernay, Paris, Lyon or elsewhere.
This is to be discussed together and a stay of several days is possible.
Overall, you can expect a leisurely day lasting around 8 hours, during which we take the time to enjoy life in the company of good people and good wines.
Your Day, Curated
Start of the day at the airport or your hotel
Departure for the wine region
Morning wine tastings
Lunchtime
Afternoon tasting
Discover another wine region or return to your hotel
Days last between 8 and 11 hours
Around twenty wines tasted during the day
Accompanied by a French wine enthusiast
Professional driver and electric car
A Seamless Voyage Through the Wolrd’s Most Celebrated Wine Regions
Meet the Makers
Lovers of wine, art, travel and gastronomy, always on the move in France and around the world to learn from the differences.
We all met during our studies, in European wine society. We all have different interests, but wine and its precise tasting conditions are what brought us together.
We share these moments of life all year round and spend around twenty days a year in the Champagne region to magnify this region's art of living.
