Weekly blog #142: Going for a weekend of champagne tastings in France: how, what and where?

This past weekend, me and my friends went to the world-famous Champagne region in Northern France for two days filled with – of course – champagne tastings, enjoying the French cuisine, beautiful sceneries, and lots of fun. You might think that this had all been arranged months in advance, but it wasn’t the case at all. Only three weeks ago, my friends asked me whether I would like to come along. Although the idea of the trip had already been conceived, the accommodation still had to be found. Despite the fact that this is the high season and we were going during the weekend, we managed to find a real gem. This shows you: for a trip like this, you really don’t need months of preparation.

This house in the French countryside was everything you imagine it to be and it would perfectly do as the setting for any idyllic French film

Friday around one o’clock in the afternoon, we left our hometown in the south of The Netherlands by car. Despite the fact that the road was quite busy and it took us a little while to find the right address, it was only five o’clock when we walked into our Airbnb. This house in the French countryside was everything you imagine it to be and it would perfectly do as the setting for any idyllic French film. White shutters, completely overgrown with ivy, a beautiful garden in front with purple flowers around which the insects were buzzing, simple linen deck chairs and a cosy round table. Delphine and her husband, the owners, lived here too, and the man of the house cooked us a delicious meal on that first evening: French cuisine with a twist and fully adapted to gluten-free dietary requirements. Delphine, a Parisienne who moved to this region purely because of her passion for champagne, provided champagnes as pairing for the dishes.

You only have to ring the bell of a house that says the words “champagne” and “ouvert”, and before you know it, you’re seated at a long table with four bottles in front of you

On Saturday, we had a full day of champagne tasting planned. I had no idea what to expect, but it was actually much more accessible and informal than I had thought. Friend T. roughly mapped out a route right through the champagne fields – a sight in itself – and we soon arrived in the first village. Without any plan, we walked onto the first property that looked inviting. What I didn’t know is that more than half of the places in these villages are champagne houses. You only have to ring the bell of a house that says the words “champagne” and “ouvert”, and before you know it, you’re seated at a long table with four bottles in front of you. Although simply ringing the bell, and an enthusiastic “Bonjour!” was enough at most champagne houses, we had made a reservation at two places. However, don’t imagine modern online booking systems. A simple phone call, entirely French spoken, was all that was involved in the ‘reservation’ and at one of the two reservations we found the champagne farmer wrenching on his tractors. He had actually completely forgotten that we had an appointment at three o’clock. 

I thought that in order to make a good impression with the French, you had to have some basic knowledge of champagne and the grape varieties at least

I also thought that in order to make a good impression with the French, you had to have some basic knowledge of champagne and the grape varieties at least. Before the first tasting, I told my friend S. that I really had no idea what to pay attention to when I heard her enthusiastically talk about how she usually preferred the “blanc de blanc” and the “vintage years” a little less. But it turned out there was absolutely no reason to worry about that. It’s super easy, she said. You only have to taste and see what you like best. The champagne producer will tell you then what type of grapes and blend it is. And that’s exactly how it was. Plus, you can’t argue about taste, and the same goes for champagne.

It was to be one of the best dinners of my life

After a full day of champagne tasting, we got hungry and wanted to have dinner somewhere nice. Delphine was shocked however when we told her on Saturday morning that we hadn’t made any reservations yet, and she thought it would be a mission impossible to find something. But again, luck was on our side, as there was one table left at the very best restaurant in the region: Chateau de Sacy. It was to be one of the best dinners of my life. Everything about the place was right. The restaurant was located in a manor house on the first floor, with breath-taking views over the champagne fields. We ate in the beautiful conservatory, but others dined literally among the vines. With our bellies full from all the champagne, we ordered a delicious red wine to go with the three-course menu, which included an amuse bouche beforehand and a small cheese tasting in between. The car was parked for you and the toilet was a ballroom. If you’re planning to go to the Champagne region, I wouldn’t doubt for a second and book this place in advance.

With its church that looks a lot like Notre Dame, the many cosy bistros and stately avenues, this city is also worth a visit

On Sunday morning, around eleven o’clock, we said goodbye to our idyllic country home. Despite the fact that my male friends initially suggested we go for another champagne tasting, we decided to go to the city of Reims. We, the girls, fancied a good cappuccino in the sun. With its church that looks a lot like Notre Dame, the many cosy bistros and stately avenues, this city is also worth a visit. It’s also a good base for a weekend of champagne tasting if you prefer to stay in a city instead of the countryside. 

While scrolling through all the videos and photos once back home, I could only think: everybody should do this at least once!

Around three o’clock, we got back into the car and drove back home, which took us just a little over three hours. And while scrolling through all the videos and photos once back home, I could only think: everybody should do this at least once! A weekend in the Champagne region truly is the perfect getaway. Immersing yourself in this authentic region where people mostly speak French – and if they speak English they have that thick French accent I adore – you are immediately in a holiday mood. When you then also create a playlist with solely French songs and get the chance to borrow or rent a convertible, the picture is complete. And don’t worry if you’re not a fan of champagne yet, because I can guarantee you that you will be after two days of touring around here. Santé!