Unveiling Champagne, France: My Behind-The-Scenes Experience
How I got access to some of the most exclusive Champagne Houses in the world.
A few months ago I received a call from a good friend of mine who works in the Hospitality industry in France.
“Hey, do you want to experience something really special?”
Obviously, I was curious to know more.
As an insider in the tourism industry (and passionate about great cuisine) I’ve been lucky to experience some unique places -like eating at a Michelin-Star restaurant in Napa Valley, California, or visiting wineries in the Prosecco area in Italy.
But this time, it was different: I was invited to an exclusive visit behind the scenes of prestigious Champagne Maisons around Éparnay and Reims, in France.
While some Champagne Maisons (in French, Houses of Champagne) are open to the public, others are invite-only.
I accepted the invite, of course. Such a great opportunity to peek behind the curtains of this fascinating world!
About the Champagne wine region
The Champagne wine region, 120 km (75 mi) east of Paris, France, is the only place in the world where the sparkling white wine, produced and bottled following the méthode champenoise, is legally allowed to be called “Champagne”.
The city of Épernay is the “capital of Champagne”. On Avenue de Champagne - considered the most expensive road in the world because of the millions of bottles of champagne stored in the kilometers of cellars beneath it -most Maisons have their Headquarters.
Sipping DomPé
My first stop is at Moët&Chandon, the most famous Champagne House, from which one of the most prestigious -and most expensive- Champagne in the world was born: Dom Pérignon.
After a tour of the boutique -where visitors can purchase bottles of Dom Pérignon at prices that vary from 250€ to 6,000€ (270 - 6,500 USD), I am invited to enter the quieter, more private tasting area, a luxurious environment with stylish interiors.
I take a seat on a comfortable design sofa, while a sommelier brings us a bottle of Dom Pérignon Vintage 2013 for tasting.
“Dom Pérignon is the only Champagne maison that creates only vintages, that is made from grapes from one single year” , I am told by the Global Brand Ambassador at Dom Pérignon, who is kindly accompanying me on my visit.
“The characteristic of Dom Pérignon Vintage 2013 is that it was a late harvest, it in fact occurred during the month of October.
At the nose, it reveals aromas of yellow fruits opening the attack, followed by a touch of spices like cardamom and pepper.
The very long time of maturation in the cellars, close to ten years, adds a lot of complexity and incredibly long finish”
It’s great to sit here and listen to the secrets and fun facts about the fascinating world of Champagne and Dom Pérignon, (or DomPé, how the insiders call it).
What a great way to start this weekend!
In the cellars of an artisan winemaker
The second producer I visit, Veuve Fourny & Fils, is a family of artisan winemakers since five generations cultivating a vineyard of old vines, a rarity in Champagne.
After personally welcoming me and telling the fascinating story of his family, the vigneron shows the way to a dark warehouse where “magics happens”.
In fact, most steps in the Champagne production happen right here: From pressing the grapes to the assemblage (blending), until the bottling.
Then, the bottles are moved to the cellars, where the maturation and the dégorgement (the process of removing the sediment from the bottle) take place.
The entire process usually takes between 15 months and 3 years (for Champagne millesimé).
After visiting the cellars, I’m offered to taste seven types of Champagne, from the Blanc de Blancs (ideal for an aperitif) to the Grands Terroirs Brut Premier Cru.
If tasting one of the most prestigious Champagne in the world and visiting the cellar of an artisan winemaker wasn’t enough already, the last stop was…mind-blowing!
Champagne tasting in a private villa
What about having an entire private villa, all for yourself?
Accompanied by the Brand Ambassador at Mumm-Perrier-Jouët, I sneak into the Maison Cordon Rouge in Reims, an incredible location with tastefully decorated interiors.
It’s Sunday and there are no other guests today.
“This is where we host our most exclusive events for VIPs and hospitality partners, from sommeliers at luxury hotels, to Chefs at Michelin-starred restaurants,” , I am told.
At Maison Cordon Rouge I get the opportunity to taste some of the finest Champagne from the brand Mumm, like the Reserve Blanc de Blancs.
Oh wait, it’s not over yet: The villa has its own cellars, hiding bottles of Champagne dating back to 1971, and 80-years old bottles of Bordeaux reserved for the very best guests…
Champagne & Croissants - Why not?
One thing that really impressed me about this area of France is that there’s Champagne literally…everywhere!
As they say here, “Champagne is for every occasion”, not just for big celebrations.
On my last day I had an amazing brunch at Domaine Julien Chopin, a small producer that -only on a few weekends in the year - opens its Maison to a handful of guests.
A real insider tip!
The brunch included delicious fresh local products like Jambon de Reims, goat cheese and pain au chocolat. And of course, a glass of Champagne. My last one for this weekend.
I promise.
What I’ve learned during my experience in Champagne, France
Seeing the world of Champagne from “behind the scenes” was a privilege and one of the most exciting experiences I had lately.
People often wonder: Why is Champagne so expensive? Well, there’s so much work, expertise and hundreds of years of tradition behind a bottle of sparkling white wine!
And if you’re considering visiting too, there are many Maisons and cellars open to everyone. If I had to choose two, I’d recommend Maison Pommery, or La Cave aux Coquillages, for an alternative experience.
After all, the Champagne wine region can be reached from Paris in around one and a half hours by train or by car, making it an ideal destination for a day- or weekend trip.
Santé!
About me:
As a passionate traveler and tourism professional I’ve experienced the world: From hiking the Andes to flying Business Class, from camping in Serengeti to staying in luxury resorts in Maldives.
In my career as a marketer I’ve driven brand collaborations, scaled up communities and websites and helped tourism companies reach international travelers.
Beating Jetlag is where my authentic experiences as a traveler and genuine curiosity as a professional come together for behind-the-scenes travel content and resources for marketers and creators.
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