Start with the visit you are most looking forward to
Friday afternoons and Saturdays fill first at the major houses. Reserve the house you care about most, then arrange the rest of the weekend around that time.
Useful along the way
Twelve useful tips for a weekend in Champagne.
Book the house you most want to see first, then build the rest of the day around it. Leave some room between reservations and you’ll still have time for lunch, a village walk and somewhere you hadn’t planned to stop.
A comfortable pace1 or 2
For most days, one or two substantial visits are plenty. You will not need to rush, and there will still be time to enjoy the region between appointments.
Leave some room between tastings
One or two substantial visits are enough for most days. A little time between them means you can enjoy lunch, ask questions and travel to your next stop without rushing.
Bring a warm layer and comfortable shoes
Even on a summer day, the chalk cellars can feel quite cool. Take a jumper or light jacket, plus shoes with enough grip for damp steps.
Reims or Épernay: choose by route
Reims is a lively city where the Champagne houses are spread farther apart. Épernay is more compact and closer to Aÿ, Hautvillers and the Côte des Blancs. Neither is automatically the better choice; it depends on what you would most like to do.
Book the big houses; try smaller growers on the day
Always book the grands marques and full tours in advance. At small, lesser-known growers you can often simply walk in for a tasting; some are free, though a modest charge is increasingly common. Call ahead if you want a cellar tour, a specific language or certainty on a busy day.
Use the spittoon when you need it
You can leave wine or use the spittoon during a tasting. It is common practice, especially when you still need to drive or have another appointment later that day.
Choose a visit that matches what you want to see
At one house the tour may focus on the cellars, while another shows more of the production process, art or vineyards. Look beyond the name and check what the visit actually includes.
Stay overnight for the Côte des Bar
The southern part of Champagne is a considerable drive from Reims. If you would really like to explore the Côte des Bar, Troyes or Les Riceys make more comfortable bases for an overnight stay.
Leave proper time for lunch
Lunch in France often takes a little longer, and a grower visit can run over. Leaving some room in the schedule keeps the day relaxed, especially if there is somewhere you would particularly like to eat.
Check the tour language when you book
A house may offer tours in several languages on the same day. Check the language of your chosen time slot before you pay.
Arrange village transport in advance
Transport is usually easy to arrange in Reims and Épernay, but options are more limited in the wine villages. A pre-booked driver or tour makes the day easier, especially when you want to combine several stops.
Protect the bottles you buy from heat and light
Try not to leave bottles in a warm car for hours. Many houses have sturdy boxes for the journey home; ask for one when you buy your bottles.
Start with the right base
Reims, Épernay or a wine village?
Reims, Épernay and the wine villages each have their own character. Once you know where you would like to stay, it becomes much easier to see which visits will fit comfortably into your route.
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