Champagne
Champagne stretches from around Troyes in the south (in the sub-district known as the Aube), to Reims in the north, which is in the Marne district. The vineyards of the Marne are the Montagne de Reims, the Côte des Blancs (where the white grapes are concentrated) and the Vallée de la Marne. The nearby town of Rheims is also home to many of the great names in Champagne: Krug, Roederer, Veuve Clicquot, Pommery, Taittinger and Charles Heidsieck are a few houses that have their cellars here.
The escorted Champagne Weekends
These are our original tours, run by A&C since 1987. The aim on the tours is to taste a wide spectrum of Champagnes starting at breakfast! With your wine guide you have comparative tastings each evening and visit a good cross section of Houses, from those that forged Champagne’s reputation such as Taittinger, Pol Roger and Veuve Clicquot as well as to search out quality growers and rising stars in the villages. As you drive through the vineyards the wine guide will give a lively commentary covering all aspects of Champagne, from the history, to the grape growing, to the controversy over expanding the vineyards.
The Champagne Extra tours
On these tours we taste more prestigious Champagnes, the visits are high calibre and we have a private dinner as guests at one cellar and lunch at another. The hotel rooms and the coach are superior too.
The Ultimate Champagne
… is just that. There are vertical tastings of vintages of the greatest Champagnes, and rare events, such as superb visits, lunches and dinners at top houses hosted by the winemakers or owners.
A&C wine buying breaks
These are a great idea for the more independent wine tourer who is happy to drive down to a wine region. With a wine guide, you’ll visit wine domaines where you can stock up at excellent prices. There is an introductory tasting on the first evening, two nights accommodation and a lunch at a wine estate.
These tours tend to stay in Reims or in the village of Ay. Join the tour by Eurostar, by flying to Paris and taking a local train or self driving. They are very good value and you have the freedom to decide how you wish to travel and for how long. You are free each evening to dine where you wish. Likewise you can extend your stay in the region or elsewhere in France.
Click here to go to Champagne Wine Notes
The Sunday Times Wine Club Valentine's Champagne
14 - 16 February 2009
Spring Champagne Weekends
20 - 22 March 2009
Champagne Weekend (Self Drive to Ay)
17 - 19 April 2009, 30 October - 1 November 2009, 4 - 6 December 2009
May Bank Holiday Champagne
2 - 4 May 2009
May Champagne Extra
23 - 25 May 2009
