Epernay, stop for Champagne!

You may not know the town of Epernay, but you know for sure what comes from it: Champagne. Epernay is a small town centrally located in the Champagne region. Despite its size, Epernay is recognized as the capital of Champagne as is home of some of the most famous and luxurious Champagne producers such as Moët & Chandon, Mercier and de Castellane. When walking along the Avenue de Champagne and around, you will encounter well maintained noble buildings from the XIX century, homes of wine growers for the majority of them. Don’t resist to the call of tasting some of prestigious Champagne. Cellars are usually open for visit and eventually proposing tasting either with or without appointment.

Here are some of the main houses open for visitors during week-ends and holidays:

• Champagne de Castellane: Visit of production site, cellars, museum. Tasting.
  
• Champagne Moet & Chandon: Visit of cellars and video about Champagne production. Tasting
  
• Champagne Mercier: Visits of cellars and videos about Eugene Mercier
  
• Champagne Delahaie: Visit of production sites
  
• Champagne Comtesse Lafond: Visit of the Chateau and tasting.
  
• Champagne Achille Princier: Visit of cellars and tasting.

Many more Champagne growers are opening their doors, see November 2009 schedule on http://www.ot-epernay.fr/-Champagne-wines-

And for those who want more of it, some lectures and courses are organized at famous Champagne houses to learn about all subtleties of the bubbling wine. Please contact Action Champagne Tourisme for more information on the offers.

Get ready for Christmas time and go choose your Champagne where it is grown, in Epernay!