A Champagne Celebration

International Champagne Day was this week, and there was never a better time to bring out the bubbly. Many people don’t realize, though, that champagne is not just a term for sparkling wine; it’s specific to this type of wine made in the Champagne region of France.

Champagne-Ardenne is just about 100 miles from Paris and easily reached by high speed train or car. Once there, you will be surprised at just how many producers there are, and just how wide the price range of champagne is. You will be able to taste samples, explore wineries, tour caves and taste champagnes that cost anywhere from $15 to $500 a bottle.

First you should head to Reims, a city full of history and museums, if you want to check out Krug, Veuve Clicquot, Pommery or Taittinger, they are all it that city. Hautvillers is actually the birthplace of champagne and was the home of its founder, Dom Perignon. In addition to that famous house, you will find many small growers in this quaint little town.

Troys is worth a stop just to walk through the cobblestone streets filled with cafes and little shops. This was the original capital of Champagne and you will find today it is a combination of old and new, with medieval castles, outlet shopping and, of course, champagne growers.

Epernay is the home of many of the top champagne producers and here you will have the opportunity to visit many houses within walking distance of each other. Take the Mill’Bulles, also known as the “Small Train,” to get acquainted with this beautiful town, then pick a few places to visit, such as Moët et Chandon, Perrier-Jouët or Pol Roger.

Whether you decide to take a day trip or make it an overnight excursion, it’s definitely worth a trip to Champagne while you are visiting Paris.

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