The Best Bubbles and Burgundy Wine
Join The Goddess of Wine, Denise Lowe, for the best Bubbles and Burgundy wine as we spend 8 exclusive days visiting Denise’s favorite producers in the Champagne and Burgundy regions of France.
Date
Oct 8 - 15, 2023
Year
2023
Group Size
10 - 16
Tour Escort
Day 1 to Day 8
French Champagne Country
Reims – Epernay – Hautvillers – Chablis – Côtes de Nuits – Côtes de Beaune – Dijon
• Discover Reims Cathedral and Reims city center, the heart of the Champagne region.
• Guided drive through the Champagne Scenic Road studded with world-renowned grand cru and premier cru producers.
• Private visit at the Domain of a premium Boutique producer.
• Explore the magnificent cellars of Ruinart, the oldest Champagne House. Enjoy tastings and a guided tour of their UNESCO-listed chalk cellars.
• Discover the prestigious area of the Côte des Blancs vineyards, which produces the best Chardonnoy grapes.
• Visit the charming village of Hautvillers, the birthplace of Champagne and the burial site of Dom Pierre Pérignon.
• Immerse yourself in the history of Avenue de Champagne.
• Uncover the secrets of Moet & Chandon, Champagne’s most successful producer.
• Cooking class with a renowned local chef.
• Explore the picturesque town of Chablis and sample the village, premier cru, and grand cru wines at the Domaine Laroche.
• Private visit of the Clos de Vougeot, a vineyard built by Cistercian monks in the 12th century.
• Learn the craft of barrel making in an Instagramable team event.
• Indulge in Burgundy’s delicacies and visit the Fallot Mustard Factory.
• Enjoy lunch overlooking the Ducal Palace, one of France’s “most beautiful places.
Join The Goddess of Wine, Denise Lowe, for the best Bubbles and Burgundy wine as we spend 8 exclusive days visiting Denise’s favorite producers in the Champagne and Burgundy regions of France. Immerse yourself in the beauty of these French villages while uncovering the secrets of their historic Champagne Houses and Burgundian grand cru producers.
In addition to host Denise, our leader will be Stephen Liney, a British wine and travel expert who has lived in France for over 30 years, the last 10 in Burgundy. His special expertise is crafting unique wine experiences for wine lovers from all over the world. Denise, Wine Lovers Travel, and Stephen hand-crafted this itinerary to give you an exclusive taste of both of these iconic regions.
Important Notes
• This trip is not suitable for people with mobility problems.
• Hotels’ availability has to be verified at time of booking and price may vary depending on its availability.
Disclaimer
Due to reasons beyond our control, the itinerary and activities may be subject to change without notice and be replaced with similar tours and activities of equal or greater value.
What is included in the price?
• 4-night stay in Reims and 3-night stay in Dijon, including breakfast and VAT tax.
• All transfer services as per program.
• English-speaking guides on all days as per program.
• All winery visits and tastings shown in itinerary.
• 8 paired lunches and 1 dinner (cooking class).
• All other activities as shown in the itinerary.
• Stephen Liney, esteemed wine educator, will accompany the group.
Not included:
• Meals and beverages not mentioned above.
• Transfers except those mentioned above.
• City taxes.
• Gratuities.
• Travel insurance.
• International airfare.
• Anything that is not included in the above list.
Day 1 – October 8, 2023
Arrival Day – Paris
After your arrival at CDG airport, you will be welcomed by your guide and transferred in a VIP coach towards the Champagne region. (All travelers should plan to arrive by 10 am Paris time and will travel together by coach. If you choose to meet the group in Reims using your own transportation, plan to arrive at the hotel by 1 pm.)
To start your trip, you will stop for lunch including 3 courses with a wine pairing, in Reims or in another surrounding village. Following lunch, you will discover Reims Cathedral and the city’s center via a walking tour. Later that evening you will begin your 3-night stay at Hotel de La Paix (or similar).
Day 2 – October 10, 2023
Ruinart and the Montagne de Reims Area
Private full day-transportation in a VIP coach with a driver + English-speaking guide specialist of Champagne. Enjoy a commented drive through the Champagne Scenic Road and discover the Premier Cru and Grand Cru villages that are part of the Montagne de Reims area. Admire Champagne’s hillside vineyards – recently listed on UNESCO World Heritage – and discover the most important treasure of the region: the grapes.
Next, you will be welcomed at the domain of a family-owned Champagne House located in the heart of the vineyard. There, discover the whole process of Champagne making, from grapes to bottles. Tasting various cuvées of the House is the opportunity for you to stimulate your senses and grasp Champagne’s diversity.
After a 3-course lunch with wine, you will explore the magnificent cellars of the oldest Champagne House: Ruinart. Follow a brand ambassador of the House behind the scenes to learn the secrets of the complex art of winemaking. After a guided tour of the UNESCO-listed chalk cellars, savor two prestigious and delicate cuvées in the refined setting of the House.
Dinner will be hosted at La Grande Georgette or Le Jardin des Crayères, TBD.
Day 3 – October 10, 2023
Epernay and Hautvillers Area
Discover the prestigious area of the ‘Côte des Blancs’ vineyards, where the best Chardonnay grapes are grown. You will stop in a Grand Cru village and enjoy a visit to one of our favorite family producers. After a tour of the cellars, you will taste premium Blanc de Blancs Champagnes and learn more about the specificities of this greatly appreciated type of Champagne.
Your next destination is the charming UNESCO-listed village of Hautvillers. There, trace the origin of Champagne and visit the church where the famous monk Dom Pierre Pérignon is buried.
Lunch takes place in the magnificent setting of the UNESCO-listed village of Hautvillers. While savoring a plate of regional specialties, discover Champagne and food pairings with three glasses of grower Champagnes included.
Following lunch, you will enjoy a tour of the cellars and uncover the secrets behind the signature taste of Champagne’s most successful producer: Moet & Chandon. You will then enjoy a commented tasting of the iconic Moet & Chandon Champagne, in the refined setting of the House.
That evening you will take a cooking class hosted by a renowned local chef (2 dishes – starter – main, or main – dessert) followed by a champagne pairing.
Day 4 – October 11, 2023
Champagne to Burgundy – via Chablis
Drive to the picturesque town of Chablis and after a visit to the town, taste some excellent village, premier cru, and grand cru wines at the Domaine Laroche. This is a beautiful winery in the city center. You will be able to visit this historical site including its unique Salt Grange!
Stop for lunch at the Bistrot des Grands Crus in Chablis before heading to the city of Dijon and Vertigo Hotel, where you will begin your 3-night stay. Vertigo Hotel is a Design Hotels property, ideally located near Darcy Square in the heart of Dijon, the food capital of Burgundy.
Day 5 – October 12, 2023
Cotes de Nuits – Capital of the Pinot Noirs
You will begin your day driving north to the Côte de Nuits district and its emblematic Pinot Noirs. Your first tasting will be at the Frédéric Magnien winery in Morey Saint Denis. Frédéric’s wines are all biodynamic and his famous Gevrey Chambertin, Morey-Saint-Denis and Chambolle Musigny are all must trys. Lunch will be hosted at a local winery, either Domaine Trapet or La Toute Petite Auberge in Vosne Romanée. TBD.
After lunch take a stroll to the Romanée-Conti and Richebourg vineyards before having a private visit to the Clos de Vougeot. Built by the Cistercian monks in the 12th century, this 125-acre vineyard is a Grand Cru. Visit a second winery (TBD) before heading back to your hotel. Dinner will be at your leisure and we will provide our recommendations.
Day 6 – October 13, 2023
Cotes de Beaune – Chardonnay Paradise
Drive south to the astoundingly beautiful Côte de Beaune. The first tasting stop is in the village of Santenay and enjoys meeting the young and very talented winemaker, William Waterkeyn. Charm is guaranteed with some excellent wines.
Lunch will be at Le Soufflout, one of Stephen’s favorites with fantastic food and an amazing wine list. Following lunch, you will learn how to make a wine barrel. A fun exercise in learning the craft of a barrel-maker. Team spirit is obligatory!
Dinner will be at your leisure.
Day 7 – October 14, 2023
Burgundy – History & Gastronomy
Visit the Hospices de Beaune – built in the 15th century, this is a remarkable tribute to Chancellor Nicolas Rollin and his wife Guigone. It is also home to the oldest charity wine auction in the world.
After a delicious local lunch, head time to taste some of Burgundy’s delicacies. Visit Hess for a Burgundy cheese and wine tasting followed by a visit to the Fallot mustard factory.
Dinner will be at your leisure.
Day 8 – October 15, 2023
Dijon – Paris – The Ducs of Burgundy
Drive north to the city of Dijon and discover the incredible history of the Dukes of Burgundy. This is also the hometown of the famous engineer Gustav Eiffel. Lunch at the restaurant le Pré Aux Clercs, overlooking the Ducal Palace in one of the most beautiful “places” in France. After lunch, drive to Paris. Transfer to CDG for flight home or other arrangements, TBD
