Champagne

Reims, the city of the coronation of the kings of France and more widely the houses, cellars and Champagne hillsides classified as World Heritage by UNESCO welcomes you to tell us the great history of Champagne, a cup in hand !

As effervescent as its wine, the jewel of France, let’s join to Champagne in the company of iconic champagne families or winemakers from generation to generation.

Sunday 5th November Meeting point at La Caserne Chanzy Hôtel & Spa, where you will be staying.

14:00 - 16:00 Check-in at the hotel Caserne Chanzy

16:00 - 18:00 Sigthseeing in Reims, visit of the cathedral

18:00 - 19:00 Free time at La Caserne Chanzy Hôtel & Spa

19:00 - 21:30 Dinner at La Grande Georgette (in the hotel)

Dress code: Business casual

Monday 6th November

07:30 - 09:00 Breakfast in La Caserne Chanzy Hôtel & Spa and free time

Option 1

09:00 – 10:00 Transfer to Bollinger Family in Ay

10:00 - 12:15 Conference with the family

12:30 - 14:45 tasting and lunch

14:45 - 16:15– Visit of the family house

16:15 - 17:00 Transfer back to the hotel Caserne Chanzy

Option 2

09:00 – 09:45 Transfer to Pol Roger Family in Epernay

09:45 - 10:30 Welcoming

10:30 – 12:00 Conference

12:00 - 14:30 Tasting and lunch

14:30 - 16:00 Visit of the Cuverie

16:00 - 17:00 Transfer back to the hotel Caserne Chanzy

17:00 - 18:30 Free time at La Caserne Chanzy Hôtel & Spa

18:30 - 19:00 Transfer to Brasserie le Jardin

19:00 – 21:00 Dinner at Brasserie du Jardin (Parc des Crayères)

21 :00 – 21 :30 Transfer back to the hotel Caserne Chanzy

Dress code: Smart casual 

Tuesday 7th November

07:30 - 08:45 Breakfast in La Caserne Chanzy Hôtel & Spa and check out

08:45 - 09:00 Transfer to Ateliers Simon-Marcq, Taittinger Family

09:30 - 11:30 Visit of the workshop, experience Taittinger Comtes de Champagne with Pierre-Emmanuel Taittinger

11:30 - 12:30 Transfer to Gimonnet Family in Cuis

12:30 - 15:30 Visit and lunch at Gimonnet Family

15:30 - 18:30 Transfer by bus to Paris – Hôtel du Collectionneur

You will be hosted by the following families:

Bollinger, a most singular taste to be shared.

Etienne Bizot

Discovering the Bollinger House is to meet one of the last great Champagne families. A family of passionate individuals who have been working for nearly two centuries to create the finest Champagne wines with a unique and legendary taste. That taste is the fruit of a special affinity for the elegance of Pinot Noir, uncompromising excellence, an exceptional vineyard, and artisanal know-how passed on with the utmost care since 1829.

Above all, as Madame Bollinger – whose legendary vitality continues to inspire us – would no doubt have suggested, discovering Bollinger is to share emotions between great Taste enthusiasts.

Pol Roger - Excellence and independence

 Hubert de Billy and Bastien Collard

Created in 1849, Pol Roger is a 100% family-owned « Maison », which today belongs to the 5th & 6th generations. This very traditional Champagne House is internationally acclaimed by lovers of fine wines for the quality of its products. Is is also famous for being Sir Winston Churchill’s favourite champagne.

Based in Epernay, the company owns 92 hectares of vineyards on prime sites in Champagne. The cellars, stretching over 9 km are among the coolest and deepest in the region and contribute to the excellent, persistent mousse of small bubbles which distinguishes all Pol Roger champagnes, the vast majority of which is still riddled by hand!

Pol Roger is one of the smallest Grandes Marques of champagnes in terms of size. However, it ranks among the very highest in terms of prestige and uncompromising reputation for quality. In this respect, Pol Roger is proud to wholly and solely be dedicated to the production and distribution of champagne - a rarity today - and exports 85% of its champagnes in more than 90 different countries.

Taittinger

Pierre-Emmanuel Taittinger - Copyright: Luc Valigny

A legacy since 1734An independent and family owned Champagne House. A company of growers and craftsmen Owner of the 2nd largest vineyard in Champagne (288ha), 4th century roman cellars, Worldwide presence, with independent agents in more than 150 countries6,8 million bottles sold in 2022. Among the top 6 champagne brands worldwide. A unique, elegant and feminine style : Chardonnay. An iconic cuvee : The Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs.

This Family Visit will take place in Simon-Marq studio owned by Emmanuel Taittinger.

Founded in 1640, Simon-Marq studio puts all its know-how at the service of the restoration of ancient stained glass as well as the creation of contemporary artworks.

From Reims Cathedral to the United-Nations, from Marc Chagall to David Tremlett, the studio has been attached to places and artists to promote exceptional craftsmanship in France and throughout the world for almost 400 years.

Gimonnet

Olivier & Didier Gimonnet. Copyright: Yves Leresche

Since always, when we planted our first hectares in Cuis, we have carefully selected Premiers Cru and Grand Cru vineyards exclusively located in the Côte des Blancs. The Domaine now stretches over 29.40 hectares, located in this special stretch of land: its chalky subsoil allows the noble Chardonnay vine to reign supreme:

• Cuis since the beginning

• Chouilly (including 3 hectares of ‘Montaigu’, planted in 1951),

• Cramant (since 1958, coming in large part from our mother, née Larmandier),

• Oger since 2005, Vertus since 2008.

The Pierre Gimonnet & Fils House put down its roots in these terroirs more than two centuries ago and continues to expand its estate there. Since 2016, 50 ares have been added to our vineyard in Cuis, the corner stone of our house and the backbone of our non-vintage brut champagne. These acclaimed terroirs of the Côte des Blancs provide for all our production – 100% of the grapes we use are our own.

We have an atypical profile for a wine grower, giving the size and location of our vineyards. This is one of our family House’s advantages.

For decades, we observed and cultivated with passion and respect our land. In doing so, we have enriched our knowledge and understanding of the great Chardonnays of Champagne. This expertise leads us to becoming one of the most important, and recognised, producers of ‘Blanc de Blancs’ champagnes.

Now, Gimonnet is synonym with the great Chardonnays of the Cote-des-Blancs and Blanc de Blancs thetrue signature of the House.