Driving by the countryside of Champagne, I attempt to put a reputation to the precise shade of rapeseed yellow that intersperses the plush inexperienced of the vines. Sadly my wine-shade lexicon proves unhelpful on this scenario and I’ve to choose the slightly underwhelming: vivid.

Vivid, because it seems, is a slightly good description of the area as a complete. After all the wines, each the sparklings and lesser-known stills, are characteristically vivid, with vibrant acidity and minerality, due to the area’s cool local weather and terroir. Nonetheless, so too is the general feeling of the area due to its UNESCO World Heritage itemizing, granted in 2015.

The itemizing just isn’t solely a supply of pleasure for the individuals and winemakers of Champagne, however has additionally led to a marked uptick within the opening of high-end retailers and experiences, based on Thibaut Le Mailloux, director of selling and communications at Champagne Gosset, who was beforehand director of communications at Champagne’s regional physique the Comité Champagne.

Right here, then, is a information to exploring the luxurious aspect of the area, targeted on the three key areas by which to base your self: Reims, Epernay and Aÿ.

Reims

The well-known illuminated staircase at Veuve Clicquot. Credit score: Veuve Cliquot

It could be one of the vital well-known Champagne homes – and its story has just lately been made into a movie, launched in August 2024 – however Veuve Clicquot actually does supply one of many slickest excursions on the town. Plus the illuminated yellow staircase gives a implausible {photograph} alternative.

Veuve Clicquot’s Manoir de Verzy, situated on the sting of the grand cru village of Verzy round 20km south of Reims, is a spectacular non-public manor which might be rented out for gastronomic experiences and Champagne tastings.

The maison additionally runs various luxurious occasions and experiences all year long that are open to the general public, reminiscent of harvest lunches, finish of yr dinners, picnics, cellar excursions and back-vintage tastings.

Veuve Clicquot’s beautiful Manoir de Verzy. Credit score: Veuve Clicquot.

Champagne Jacquart’s residence since 2009 has been the historic Hôtel de Brimont, which was initially the seat of the Ruinart household and was additionally occupied by America’s president Eisenhower’s aides-de-camp throughout World Conflict II.

Jacquart opened its doorways to the general public in 2024, the primary time since its creation as a cooperative in 1964, and now gives a spread of tastings and visits contained in the Hôtel de Brimont itself.

The town of Reims itself is price wandering round. One in all my favorite websites is the Gothic masterpiece of Reims cathedral by which 25 kings had been topped. Greater than 2,300 statues adorn each the façade and the interior house, and the spectacular stained glass home windows would make a rainbow jealous.

For a novel tour of town head to the tourism workplace on Rue Rockefeller, named after American benefactor John D Rockefeller who partially funded the rebuilding of the cathedral after it was closely broken throughout World Conflict I, and ask for a map of town’s Artwork Deco websites.

The Artwork Deco options in Reims’ Carnegie library.

Stops embody the Carnegie Library – the development of which was funded by American metal magnate and benefactor Andrew Carnegie – and the lined market of Halles Boulingrin which sells specialty meals, produce and flowers on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays and hosts occasional cultural actions on the mezzanine degree.

Aÿ

Champagne home Henri Giraud has made a reputation for itself by doing issues in another way, bringing a dynamism that you simply won’t anticipate from a Champagne home with nearly 400 years of historical past.

Headed up by winemaker Sébastien Le Golvet and CEO Emmanuelle Giraud – the thirteenth technology of the Giraud household – a go to to the vineyard will instil a complete new degree of appreciation for oak barrels, as this home solely makes use of wooden from the Argonne Forest (lower than 100km from Reims), the place every tree is chosen with pinpoint precision.

The luxe remedy

Calm down on the lavish Manoir Henri Giraud. Credit score: Henri Giraud.

Manoir Henri Giraud, the newly refurbished nineteenth century manor home on the Henri Giraud property, accommodates a luxurious lodge and spa. The manor’s previous underground cellar has been reworked into the spa, referred to as Bain de Terroir, full with remedy rooms and swimming pool (with two submerged stationary bikes).

The manor additionally has a objective constructed tasting space, the place you possibly can expertise unimaginable and well-thought out meals and wine pairings, with the meals ready in entrance of you by the in-house chef. A selected spotlight is the Ratafia de Champagne, a tasty candy aperitif made by fortifying unfermented grape should.

In case you select to remain in a single day you possibly can chill out in one of many lodge’s suites and deal with your self to room service; caviar is out there, and I might recommend attempting the Argonne cuvée 2015, which is really distinctive.

Staying in Aÿ, it is smart to pop into one other Champagne home that helped to revitalise Champagne, and notably the rosé class: Billecart-Salmon.

The property isn’t open to walk-ins and you need to request a go to by their concierge service, however it’s well worth the effort to marvel on the completely coiffed French-style gardens alone.

In case you’re eager on stretching the legs, it’s a 2.9km stroll from Henri Giraud to Billecart-Salmon, largely alongside the canal, and you’ll even make somewhat detour to Boulangerie Patrick Baillet, an unassuming-looking bakery on a typical French village sq. which took first prize within the Nationwide Finest Conventional Baguette Competitors (Concours Nationwide de la Meilleure Baguette de Custom Française) in 2022.

Boutique lodge and restaurant Le Clos Corbier. Credit score: Le Clos Corbier

A stone’s throw from Billecart-Salmon is the attractive setting of Le Clos Corbier. A Champagne home in its personal proper, it additionally has one of many nicest eating places within the space, La Desk du Clos. Right here you’ll discover a small menu with every course together with a Champagne component.

Epernay

Le 19 wine bar on the Champagne winegrowers syndicat on the Avenue de Champagne. Credit score: Syndicat général des vignerons de la Champagne

I by no means tire of strolling down Epernay’s well-known Avenue de Champagne, which is an architectural delight. Anecdotally, residents name it the most costly road on this planet due to the huge quantity of Champagne saved within the cellars beneath.

Lots of the massive homes right here have drop-in wine bars the place you possibly can get pleasure from a glass or a bottle however I prefer to make a beeline to Le 19, a store and wine bar situated within the courtyard of the headquarters of the Syndicat Général des Vignerons de la Champagne (Champagne winergrowers syndicat). Representing greater than 100 winegrowers and cooperatives, it gives a every day rotating tasting of three Champagnes, with bottles accessible to buy too. Usually one of many winemakers will make an look to talk.

Buoyed up by bubbles, head throughout the highway to discover one other form of buoyancy: the Le Ballon d’Epernay. Whereas I’ve to say I’m not the best fan of heights, this scorching balloon journey gives 360-degree views with the horizon stretching out throughout the Marne Valley, Côte des Blancs and Montagne de Reims.

As soon as again on terra firma, head again down the avenue to Champagne PerrierJouët to eat on the Maison Belle Epoque. This 18th century property homes the most important non-public assortment of French Artwork Nouveau in Europe. The menu is impressed by Pierre Gagnaire and realised by Sébastien Morellon.

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