Champagne is a fascinating region to visit. The Champenoise have set the standard for quality sparkling wine, with its method being emulated around the world. The traditions behind the winemaking are legendary, as are the chalk caves and soils. In fact, the hillsides, houses and cellars of Champagne have been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Beyond the wine, Champagne plays an important role in history, often being the center of invasions, combat and war. The Notre Dame Cathedral in the city of Reims is a stunning example of French gothic architecture, beautifully restored after being damaged in WWII. The cathedral itself is a UNESCO site and an important monument in French history.

Champagne can be made from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier or a blend of grapes (a "cuvée"). While the cool climate often makes ripening grapes challenging, it also leads to grapes high in fresh acidity - perfect for sparkling wine. When visiting the Champagne region, you will learn all about the art of growing grapes, the challenges that growers face each season, organic and sustainable farming as well as the impact of climate change on the region.

Once the grapes are harvested, they will go through a specific process developed in Champagne known as the Methode Champenoise. Once the grapes are fermented, the wine is blended and bottled while it waits for a secondary fermentation in the bottle.

It was the Widow, or “Veuve,” Clicquot, Barbe-Nicole Ponsardin Clicquot, who developed the next critical step in the method called riddling. Her story is absolutely fascinating and just one of the keys to the region’s history. Madame Pommery likewise made a mark on the region as did the infamous monk Dom Perignon. A visit to Champagne unlocks the mysteries like these behind the wine label and will give you a new perspective on the entire industry.

No visit to Champagne is complete without a visit to the infamous chalk caves, known as les crayères. These underground cellars house not just millions of bottles, but an unbelievable history. The caves were first dug out by the Romans in 60 B.C. to mine chalk and salt. In the 17th century, the French realized that the cool temperature and humidity were ideal for storing wine. But the caves served another purpose - shelter from the devastation of war. During the World Wars, thousands sought refuge in secret cities beneath the battles raging above.

You will, no doubt, want to tour the historic Champagne houses and learn about the stories behind famous labels like Moet and Chandon, Ruinart and Taittinger. But you also must visit with small, family-owned grower-producers to get a behind-the-scenes look into life as a local.

Walk the vineyards to experience this unique chalky soil first-hand. Enjoy a comparative tasting to learn about the myriad of Champagne styles and enjoy a picnic lunch among the vines. To fully understand the Champagne region, you need to see the grandeur of the large houses as well as the authenticity of growers.

The Champagne region offers rich cultural experiences that visitors should not miss. A tour through the cathedral in Reims is a must, with its extraordinary stained glass windows and over 2,300 statues across its facades. The city of Reims offers other interesting sites like ancient remains, basilicas, museums, libraries, chapels and more. There are war monuments and cemeteries throughout the region, as well as castles, abbeys and ramparts to explore.

In addition to tasting Champagne for breakfast, lunch and dinner, you will enjoy classic French bistros and Michelin-starred fine dining. You may wish to balance all of this eating and drinking with an invigorating bike ride through the vineyards or a nature hike. Or perhaps a relaxing morning at the spa is more your speed. From scooter tours to classic car drives, there are many ways to spend your time in between touring and tasting.

Champagne is one of the most intriguing wine regions to visit. Its location just 90 minutes from Paris makes it a perfect pairing with a city visit. With incredible history, rolling hills of vineyards and the finest sparkling wine in the world, Champagne is a destination not to miss.

Contact us today to start planning your trip to Champagne!

If you have visited Champagne, you must see Burgundy!

Like Champagne, Burgundy has a remarkable history, grows mostly Chardonnay and Pinot Noir even makes some spectacular sparkling wine! With its patchwork of family vineyards, distinctive soils and charming towns - not to mention the most highly acclaimed wines on the planet, Burgundy is a must-visit for any wine enthusiast.

At Cuvée Wine Travel, we plan custom trips for people who love food and wine. We also offer small group travel, river cruises and small ship luxury cruises escorted by a wine expert, winemaker or vintner. Would you like to travel with a group of friends or clients? Or perhaps join a winemaker on a river cruise? Let’s talk about your next wine adventure!