During this gourmet tour, you'll discover the Marne Valley and its historic hillsides where Champagne was born, as well as the very famous Côte des Blancs.
The workshop, experiences, tastings and visits are planned in famous vineyards around Epernay, the Capital of Champagne : Aÿ-Champagne, famous for its Pinot Noir Grand Cru and its prestigious Houses such as Bollinger and Deutz, Mareuil-sur-Aÿ where Billecart-Salmon and Philipponnat are located, Oger in the Côte des Blancs Grand Cru and Monthelon.
A stop is planned in the heart of the vineyards to understand the work of the vine, this exceptional terroir and sustainable viticulture.
The numerous tastings will take place at 3 families of Champagne producers with an explanation of the Champagne making process, a visit to the press, winery and cellar.
In order to better understand all the gourmet pairings selected for you during this day, you'll start at a producer with a playful workshop to discover the aromas of Champagne. If you successfully pass the olfactory and taste test, we'll give you a Champagne knowledge certificate.
On the day’s menu :
You'll taste 9 Grand Cru/Premier Cru Champagnes blended or single varietals Champagne as Blanc de Blancs/Noirs and discover non-dosed natural Champagnes, extra brut, brut, dry, rosé, from old vines, vintages, single plots or aged in oak barrels.
In addition to Champagnes, you'll discover the 3 famous Champagne alcohols : several Ratafias (a treasure that is still relatively unknown outside go the region) will be tasted but also Fine de la Marne and Marc de Champagne (popular digestives) from the Goyard Distillery, as well as the Coteaux-Champenois, famous Champagne wine with a CDO which will accompany foie gras and snails for the more adventurous, otherwise sea bass rillettes with truffle, scallops or white pudding.
Lunch is then planned at a winemaker’s where you'll taste his Grand Cru/Premier Cru Champagnes, as well as different Ratafias (including a unique one in the world produced from one of the forgotten grape varieties of Champagne) paired with a platter of charcuterie and cheeses with specialties of the region such as Jambon de Reims, the exceptional local cheeses such as Chaource and Langres but also cured ham, duck rillettes with Ratafia, duck breast, accompanied of course by the unmissable French baguette.
The sweet touch will be brought by a chocolate filled with ratafia and a dessert based on a famous sweet culinary specialty of the region: the Biscuit Rose.
At snack time, taste other Champagnes accompanied by Biscuits Roses of Reims from the Biscuiterie Fossier in the original recipe from 1756 and like a crunchy macaroon.
The day will end with a typical French surprise discovery, you will love it!
A commented passage is also planned in the famous Avenue de Champagne in Epernay, where Moët & Chandon, Perrier Jouët, Pol Roger... are located.
When booking your tour, please inform us if you have food allergies or have any dietary requirements.
