• Mareuil-sur-Ay - The itinerary includes workshops, experiences, tastings, and visits to renowned vineyards and villages typical of the Champagne region around Epernay, the Capital of Champagne: Aÿ-Champagne, celebrated for its Pinot Noir Grand Cru and prestigious Houses like Bollinger and Deutz, Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, home to Billecart-Salmon and Philipponnat, Oger in the Côte des Blancs, and Monthelon.

To enhance understanding of the gourmet pairings selected for the day, the journey begins at a producer’s site with an engaging workshop to explore the aromas of Champagne, followed by a tasting of various Champagnes. Successfully passing the olfactory and taste test will earn a Champagne knowledge certificate!

Throughout the day, participants will taste 9 Grand Cru/Premier Cru Champagnes, either blended or single varietals such as Blanc de blancs, Blanc de noirs, and explore non-dosed natural Champagnes, extra brut, brut, dry, rosé, from very old vines, vintages, single plots, or aged in oak barrels.

• Ay-Champagne - The tour also includes a discovery of the 3 famous Champagne alcohols: several Ratafias will be tasted, along with Fine de la Marne and Marc de Champagne from the Goyard Distillery. Ratafia, a sweet wine made from the same grape varieties as Champagne, is a hidden gem not widely exported outside the Champagne region, offering an unmatched range of flavors and aromas. It’s sure to win you over!
  Fine and Marc are popular Champagne brandies enjoyed as digestives. All tastings are accompanied by commentary and have been selected to harmonize with typical dishes.
  In Ay, visitors will also explore a Champagne bar and food, featuring the Coteaux-Champenois, a renowned Champagne wine with a Controlled Designation of Origin (CDO) available in red, white, or rosé.

The Coteaux-Champenois will be paired with foie gras and snails for the adventurous, or alternatively, sea bass rillettes with truffle, scallops, or white pudding.

• Ay-Champagne - In the renowned village and vineyard Grand Cru of Aÿ-Champagne, a stop is planned in the heart of the vineyard to understand vine cultivation, grape varieties, the exceptional terroir, and sustainable viticulture.

The village of Aÿ was the main hub of the Champagne industry in the 16th century. French kings had their own wine presses here, and the wines of Champagne were once called “Wines of Aÿ.” The vineyard, predominantly planted with Pinot Noir, is classified as Grand Cru, the highest level of the Champagne Appellation.

• Monthelon - Lunch is arranged at a winemaker’s venue, where guests will taste his Grand Cru and Premier Cru Champagnes, along with different Ratafias (including a unique one in the world made from one of the forgotten grape varieties of Champagne) paired with a mixed platter of charcuterie and cheeses featuring regional specialties like Jambon de Reims, exceptional local cheeses such as Chaource and Langres, as well as cured ham, duck rillettes with Ratafia, duck breast, and of course, the essential traditional French baguette.
  The sweet finale includes a chocolate filled with ratafia and a dessert based on a famous regional sweet culinary specialty: the Biscuit Rose of Reims.
• Avize - In the morning, during this gourmet tour, participants will explore the Marne Valley and its historic hillsides, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where Champagne originated.

In the afternoon, en route to the third winegrower, the tour will pass through the famous Côte des Blancs, the kingdom of Chardonnay Grand Cru of Champagne, and its renowned villages Cramant and Avize.

• Oger - During the visit to this third family of independent Champagne producers, who have been in the business for several generations in one of the most renowned villages for its Chardonnay Grand Cru, the Champagne making process will be revisited during a tour of the press, winery, and cellar.

Here, at snack time, guests will taste other Grand Cru Champagnes accompanied by Biscuits roses of Reims from the Biscuiterie Fossier, following the original recipe dating back to 1756, and in the form of a crunchy macaroon.

The day will conclude with a typical French surprise discovery, guaranteed to delight!

• Avenue de Champagne - A guided tour is also planned along the famous “Avenue de Champagne” in Epernay, the capital of the Champagne vineyards, where the magnificent properties and production buildings of Champagne Houses like Moët & Chandon, Perrier Jouët, Pol Roger, and others are located.

• 15 commented tastings: 9 Champagnes Grand Cru/1st Cru plus famous local wine, alcohols and aperitifs
• Private visits, workshops, experiences, tastings and food/Champagne pairing included
• Pick up and drop off is in Epernay or in the perimeter of 6kms (3.7 miles) around Epernay
• Private transportation
• Passionate local private guide/chauffeur
• Discovery of several Ratafias, Fine de la Marne, Marc de Champagne and Coteaux-Champenois
• Visits to 3 family estates of Champagne Grand Cru and Premier Cru producers

Explore the renowned Grand Cru and Premier Cru villages and vineyards surrounding Epernay, nestled in the historic hillsides of the Marne Valley, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, along with the Côte des Blancs.

Enjoy visits to three families of independent Champagne winegrowers/producers, where the Champagne-making process will be explained.

Participate in an engaging workshop to discover the various aromas of Champagne and its three iconic grape varieties: Pinot Noir, Meunier, and Chardonnay.

Experience 15 guided tastings, featuring 9 Grand Cru/Premier Cru Champagnes, along with the region’s famous wines, spirits, and aperitifs, paired with local dishes and products to uncover the gourmet secrets of the Champagne region.

During the tour of four authentic Champagne locations selected for you, more than 15 flavors will delight your palate!

Enjoy a guided tour along the famous “Avenue de Champagne” in Epernay, known as “the most expensive Avenue in the world,” with its 200 million bottles stored in the cellars.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.