"Champagne is the only wine that leaves a woman beautiful after drinking it." - Madame de Pompadour
During the holiday season, G and I decided to go to Paris with my best friend Alisha, and her husband James. While planning our vacation, we all decided that visiting Champagne for a day would be an amazing opportunity! Who would’ve thought that during our week long stay in France, that going to Champagne would end up being our favorite activity, and highlight of the entire trip?!
We had the best 12 hours in Champagne - the countryside was absolutely stunning, and so relaxing. Also, the drive out to Champagne was not far at all from Paris, it was about 1 hour and 30 minutes via car. Alisha and I booked our tour through O’Chateau - the service, and our tour guide, Charlotte were nothing short of fabulous. To start our day, we met at the wine bar where we were served coffee and fresh croissants. Then our tour guide shuttled our small intimate group of 8, and drove us to Champagne for the day.
From there, we were on our way to spend the day in the city, visiting a total of three Champagne houses. Each Champagne house was unique, and had its own special quality. I cannot wait to share our day in the city with you all.
Taittinger
Outside the gates of Taittinger
Taittanger is a legendary Champagne house, and is widely popular. The estate is stunning, and has so much history. At the beginning of the tour, the staff plays a short video explaining the history and brand of Taittanger which was really nice to review. Afterwards, the guide gives a tour of the Champagne cellar and cave which is absolutely breathtaking. The decorative doors, immense bottles of champagne, and the endless amounts of riddling racks make this cave so neat.
Our guide at Taittanger ushered a group of about 30+ individuals. The group in the cellar was very large, which really took away from the intimacy of the tour. It would have been nice to have a smaller group to really take our time in the cellar.
Once the tour was completed, we were taken to the tasting room on the main level. A standard ticket only includes one glass of their iconic Brut Reserve Champagne. If you would like to try additional champagnes, guests are required to purchase each sampling ticket separately. This was a huge bummer as other Champagne houses offer more than just one sample in their tastings.
In all, our visit to Taittanger was unique mainly in the lavish estate, fantastic cellar, and beautifully decorated tasting room.
The entrance into Taittinger
Entering through the gates of Taittinger
The gorgeous line up of champagne in the wine tasting room.
Riddling racks for the champagne bottles
Our tour guide giving an amazing review of the champagne’s history at Taittinger
Champagne Vincent Brochet
The entrance to Champagne Vincent Brochet
The gorgeous vines outside of Champagne Vincent Brochet
Dare I say that Vincent Brochet was my absolute favorite house? This visit made my day! Our 8 person group were the only visitors during our stop, which really made the tour special and private. The current winemaker, Gaspard, Vincent’s son, gave us a personal tour in the cellar. We were able to get a sneak peek in his labelling process for his brand new champagne. Also, we were able to hear his family’s story on how they started their house. It was such a cool experience getting to see the authenticity and inside peek on how they produce and create their delicious champagnes.
Having this private experience, and being able to relax on the property was such a nice opportunity. Also, our tour guide, Charlotte, from O’Chateau has a wonderful relationship with the smaller champagne houses, specifically the Brochet family. She was able to give us a lot of historical knowledge and provide us some amazing information on the estate and champagnes.
Gaspard Brochet holding his new champagne, which we were able to try!
The sabre for our champagne
Perfectly sabred champagne bottle by our tour guide Charlotte
Our lunch setup for the day at Champagne Vincent Brochet
G and I enjoying the views and lunch at Champagne Vincent Brochet
During our stay on the estate, we were served a three course meal curated and prepared by Brochet’s private chef. The meal was absolutely delicious, and each dish was paired with a different glass of champagne. I was blown away with the food and champagne pairing for out meal - everything was perfect. Our food was spectacular, and easily one of the best meals I had during our stay in France - in short, our chef was amazing, and he perfectly capped off our stay at the estate.
Mushroom, ham, and sun-dried tomato quiche
Cast iron potatoes, wild mushrooms, and duck
Champagne style tiramisu with infused Ratafia
G and I with the winemaker Gaspard Brochet
G and I with the private chef at Champagne Vincent Brochet
Champagne Salmon
Champagne Salmon
Like the Brochet house, Salmon is a small estate as well, and again our group was given a private tour. The original winemaker Michel greeted us, and gave us access to his cellar. We were able to tour at our leisure with our O’Chateau guide, Charlotte. Once we finished our tour, Michel and his grandson, Alexandre, the current winemaker greeted us in their tasting room.
We were given an overview of their history, legacy, and their beautify champagnes. They provided three champagnes for tasting, and all were absolutely delicious - the 100% Meunier Brut Reserve was a personal favorite of mine.
Salmon was our last stop, but it ended our day in Champagne beautifully. It was so nice to start out with a larger Champagne house, and to wrap it up with two smaller houses to cap off the tour.
The wine tasting room
Cellar tour at Champagne Salmon
Stainless steel barrels in the cellar
Vintage grape press
The original wine marker Michel, his grandson Alexandre - the current wine maker, and our tour guide from O’Chateau Charlotte
The lineup of champagnes tasted during our stay at Salmon
Visiting Champagne was such a cool experience, and I would definitely go back in a heartbeat. I’m truly looking forward to visiting more wine countries in France in the future!
XO, Analise