Champagne
Photo: Taken on September 22, 2005 · CC BY 2.0

History

The region first made still wines, whose name spread beyond Champagne in the 16th and 17th centuries; Dom Pérignon (1638-1715), cellarer of the abbey of Hautvillers, is credited with blending crus and controlling the second fermentation. Reims houses shaped the modern wine: Ruinart from 1729, Veuve Clicquot's first vintage in 1810 and riddling table in 1816, and Pommery's Brut for the British from the 1874 vintage. Shipments grew from 8 million bottles in 1850 to 312 million in 2015.

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Common allergens: Sulphites

Make it at home

Yield For 6 tastersHands-on 15 minTotal 45 minDifficulty Easy

Ingredients

  • 1 bottle of non-vintage Brut from a Reims house
  • 1 bottle of Blanc de Blancs (Chardonnay only)
  • 1 bottle of Blanc de Noirs (Pinot Noir or Meunier)
  • 1 bottle of rosé champagne
  • Six tulip or white-wine glasses
  • Biscuits roses de Reims to finish

Method

  1. Chill the bottles to 8 to 10°C, and open each by holding the cork and turning the bottle slowly so it sighs rather than pops.
  2. Pour the Blanc de Blancs first, then the Brut, the Blanc de Noirs and the rosé, a third of a glass each.
  3. Taste each twice, once cold and once after five minutes in the glass, and note how the Chardonnay tastes lean and the black grapes rounder.
  4. Finish with the rosé and a biscuit rose dipped in it, the Reims custom.

Tip from the editors. Use white-wine glasses rather than narrow flutes; a wider bowl lets the aromas open while the bubbles still hold.

Where to eat champagne

Champagne in Reims

Trésors de Champagne ★ 4.3

€€ Wine barBoulingrin

Trésors de Champagne is the boutique and champagne bar of a growers' club on Rue Olivier Métra in Reims, with a weekly selection poured by the glass.

PourA weekly selection poured by the glass or in 8 cl comparative flights

WineChampagnes from the independent growers of the Club Trésors de Champagne

FoodSnacks with the longer masterclass formulas

TipA comparative tasting of two 8 cl glasses costs €15; booking is advised for tastings and masterclasses.

Directions

Le Wine Bar by Le Vintage ★ 4.7

€€€ Wine barCathedrale

Le Wine Bar by Le Vintage pours about 500 wines, champagnes and spirits on Place du Forum in Reims, and won Best Sparkling Wine List for France in 2026.

PourThe by-the-glass list of champagnes and wines

WineAbout 500 wines, champagnes and spirits, with a by-the-glass list and magnums

FoodA food menu to go with the wine

TipWeekend evenings fill up, so book ahead; the bar opens Tuesday to Saturday evenings only.

Directions

Le Coq Rouge ★ 4.4

€€ Wine barCathedrale

Le Coq Rouge has poured wine and champagne on Rue Chanzy in Reims since 2012, a wine bar, bar à manger and cellar with cheese and charcuterie plates to share.

PourA glass of champagne or living wine chosen by the team

WineAround 250 wines and champagnes, from known houses to small growers

FoodCheese and charcuterie boards and tapas

TipBook ahead in the evening; the bar opens Tuesday to Saturday and the cellar sells bottles to take away.

Directions

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