Champagne Lifestyle

Steeped in art, history and tradition, Gillian Thornton discovers there’s much more to Champagne than a sparkling alcoholic drink...

Any road dedicated to champagne is all right by me, but the Avenue de Champagne in Epernay has to be the ultimate street with sparkle. A stroll down these pavements feels like walking through a highclass wine list. Perrier-Jouët, madame? Pol Roger or Moët et Chandon? Decisions, decisions!

The prestigious champagne vineyards lie just 45 minutes to the east of Paris by train, and less than a three hours’ drive from Calais. Take your car to stock up on fizz at advantageous prices while you explore this tranquil area. Visit Renoir’s house and studio; go cycling, birding or sailing on the lakes; and browse France’s historic textile towns (champagneardenne-tourism.co.uk).

Cellar secrets

First, to those all-important bubbles. The vital process of second fermentation was said to have been perfected by local Benedictine monk Dom Pérignon, who was a cellar master at the Abbaye Saint-Pierre d’Hautvillers from 1668 until 1715 (although modern historians suggest it was actually invented in England slightly earlier).

Today, there are two main growing areas around Reims and Epernay to the north, and around Bar-sur-Aube at the gateway to Burgundy.

Royal connections