Champagne en Fete
Each year in this area of Champagne, a different village is chosen to become the party queen, this year its lovely Les Riceys. Usually a haven of tranquillity this year the area will come alive over the week end of 1 and 2 August as it hosts the Champagne route party.
Twenty-four wineries will open to the public with tasting points in the vineyards and en route. The villages will dress up in their finest party clothes and decorate with 35,000 flowers. The animations are numerous in both winemakers in the village. Get to meet the producers and find out more about the world’s favourite drink, it’s open house in Les Riceys!
You’ll be welcomed to join the party as long tables are set up under trees to provide shade from the warm summer sun. The scent of something wonderful – cooked in Champagne of course – will fill the air as the sun goes down.
You pay 18 Euros for a personal tasting glass and a passport to visit 24 producers, the champagne tastings are free. More details here.
The Sparkling Côte des Bar Champagne Route
If you miss this delightful festival – go anyway. You can create your own champagne route and visit the friendly producers, try and buy.
The most southern of the champagne routes, this one runs alongside picturesque scenery, taking you through villages that are renowned for their history as much as their contribution to Champagne. The Côte des Bar signposted Champagne route runs for 140 miles (220 kms) twisting through fields, vineyards and forests, home to more than 2,500 winegrowers. Largely empty roads where the only gridlock is being stuck behind a tractor make this a delectable and leisurely place to drive with lots of charming stop offs at flower decked villages and producers who offer tastings and cellar tours. Pick up a map from a local tourist office and enjoy the ride…
Les Riceys is just 50km from Troyes, a magnificent medieval town that looks like a film set - except it’s real life.
3 classic champagne cocktails
Champagne Cocktail
Place a sugar cube* in a chilled champagne flute, lash it with 2 or 3 dashes of bitters (Angostura or Peychaud's), fill the glass with brut champagne or other, cheaper, bubbly (peasant!), and squeeze a lemon twist on top.
Mimosa
Fill champagne flute 2/3 full (or 1/3, for Anglophiles) of fresh-squeezed orange juice and top up with brut champagne.
Kir Royale
Add a few drops of Creme de Cassis to a glass and top with Champagne.