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!

Fine Wine Fair - Le Grand Tasting Paris

If you ask in the street what can be associated to France, we will most probably get « Food and Wine » in the top 3. Well, for those who decide to visit Paris in the coming December, don’t miss the fine Wine Fair or “Le Grand Tasting”, a unique experience where the best wine growers offer their nectars for tasting. This event will be holding in the Carrousel du Louvre, on December 4th and 5th from 10:30 am to 8:30 pm. Book your tickets now if you want to have a chance to taste the best wines currently produced in Bordeaux, Provence, Champagne, Alsace, Bourgogne, Val de Loire, Cotes du Rhone and other regions of France.

Entrance fees are 18 € for one day (Friday), 23 € for two days if you buy your tickets in advance or 20 € for one day (Friday), and 25 € for 2 days if you purchase them the day of your visit.

For 10 more Euro, you also have the opportunity to participate to the “Master Classes”, the “Prestige Master Classes”, or the “Ateliers Gourmand” and learn more about one particular wine or the best way to associate food with wine. These seminars are given in French only. Places are limited and it is highly recommended to book your seat in advance.

For booking and other general information about Le Grand Tasting, please visit http://www.grandtasting.com/