The science of champagne: North-eastern France
8 June 2025 - 5 days for £2,686 per person
Whet your appetite and indulge in a sparkling escape to the heart of Reims in north-eastern France, designed to delight and inform champagne enthusiasts. Savour exclusive tours and tastings at prestigious champagne houses like Taittinger, Bollinger, Brimoncourt, Moët et Chandon and Henri Chauvet. Discover the science behind champagne production, from the ancient cellars where fermentation and ageing processes occur to the vineyards shaped by terroir and climate.
According to legend, Dom Pérignon, a monk, created the first sparkling wine by accident, and exclaimed: “I am drinking the stars!” The truth is more scientific; uncover the complex chemistry that gives champagne its signature bubbles, the sensory delight of savouring each sip, and the cultural heritage that makes this beverage truly iconic.
Champagne involves a fascinating blend of chemistry, physics and biology that underpins the creation of this iconic sparkling wine. The unique characteristics of the Champagne region’s soil, climate and geography contribute to the specific flavours and quality of champagne. Discover how the interaction of proteins, yeast and sugars create the “stars” that so impressed Dom Pérignon, and how different methods of producing sparkling wines have evolved. Meet winemakers and sample a wide range of wines, including smaller producers such as Gosset, Brimoncourt and Henri Chauvet.
Accompanied throughout by drinks expert Jonathan Ray, travel to the heart of the Champagne region to learn more about the secrets behind world-famous marques including Moët & Chandon, Taittinger and Bollinger.
You will be based in the ancient city of Reims, where kings of France were crowned for centuries. We will enjoy a walking tour of the city and a visit to the cathedral, but the focus will be on sampling a wide range of champagnes and understanding what makes this the world’s most celebrated wine.
In partnership with Kirker Holidays.
DAY 1: ARRIVE IN REIMS IN THE CHAMPAGNE REGION
Arrive in Reims, located in the heart of Champagne, where you will check into the 4* Hotel de la Paix, which is perfectly located in the city centre and will be our base for the duration of this tour.
This afternoon, Jonathan Ray will host an introductory tasting at the hotel, comparing the different methods of sparkling wine production – from the ancestral method, sometimes called pétillant-naturel, to the modern Charmat process, and of course the traditional méthode champenoise. Jonathan will explain the science of tasting champagne and what to look out for in our next three days. We shall dine together after the tasting.
DAY 2: MORNING TOUR OF REIMS AND AFTERNOON VISIT TO TAITTINGER
Today you will have a guided tour of Reims. This includes the cathedral, the setting for the coronation of many French monarchs.
Late in the afternoon, you will visit the beautiful cellars at Taittinger, whose underground chalk caves date back to the 4th century, originally carved by Romans, before driving to their Chateau de la Marquetterie near Epernay, where we will have a fabulous private dinner. Chateau de la Marquetterie is surrounded by rolling vineyards. This charming 18th-century estate exudes a timeless elegance that reflects its rich heritage. Once a gathering place for philosophers and artists during the Age of Enlightenment, the chateau is now the epicentre of Taittinger’s winemaking tradition.
DAY 3: AŸ, GOSSET AND AFTERNOON AT LEISURE IN REIMS
This morning you will drive to the historical heart of Champagne in the village of Aÿ, where you will start at Brimoncourt, whose headquarters is located in an old printing works designed by Gustave Eiffel. After a special lunch served in the vineyard with matching champagnes, you'll visit the oldest wine house in Champagne, founded in 1584 by Pierre Gosset. Here they have been using the méthode champenoise for almost 500 years. The wine is double-fermented, then sits on the ‘lees,’ or dead yeast cells, absorbing proteins that help to create a wine with delicate smaller bubbles that make the desired “mousse”.
You will return to the hotel in the afternoon; the rest of the day will be free in Reims and dinner will be taken independently.
DAY 4: EPERNAY, CHAUVET AND MOËT ET CHANDON
Today you will travel to Epernay for a morning visit to the charming small champagne house of Henri Chauvet, where we'll have a tasting with owners Mathilde and Damien Chauvet. Their traditional chalk cellars were constructed in 1892 and are situated 11 metres below ground, allowing for perfect maturation conditions at a constant temperature of 10°C.
Afterwards, continue to Moët et Chandon, a contrasting titan of the champagne industry, where we will visit its impressive maison for a tour and tasting. Founded in 1743, the house has more than two centuries of expertise in crafting exceptional champagnes. Discover its sprawling cellars, a labyrinth of chalk tunnels stretching for nearly 28 kilometres where millions of bottles age to perfection. The estate embodies elegance and tradition, offering a glimpse of the meticulous process behind each bottle – from vine to glass.
DAY 5: DEPART REIMS
The morning is free for you to relax and explore at your own pace before departing.
If you would like to stay for additional days, our partner Kirker Holidays can arrange that for you.
