Drappier

Champagne Drappier was created in Urville in 1808 and ages its wines i 12th century chalk Cistercian Cellars. They were suppliers to General de Gaulle and are makers of the largest bottle of Champagne in the world weighing in at 27 litres. The house specializes in Pinot Noir champagnes which are blended Chardonnay from their vineyards in Cramant.

Maison de Vignerons

Since 1956, the Maison de Vignerons in the Aube brings together 130 wine growers covering about 325 hectares with 90% producing Pinot Noir. The soil, vines faces south-south east with sheltered exposure so the grapes can be harvested at full maturity and fill around 750,000 bottles a year. Here you can see the mega large Aluminum tanks and have a brief overview of the company and Coopérative where Pinot Noir is the specialty.

Most people are not aware that most of the grapes grown in the Aube are sold to the famous brands further north. Over the years some of these growers decided to create their own cuvees with the best grapes, and build a name for themselves.

Terroir

Champagne from the department of the Marne is found on Cretaceous grounds, Champagne of the Aube is on Jurassic grounds. This area of Champagne includes Les Riceys and Bar-sur-Seine. The little village of Les Riceys is the only area in Champagne, which is allowed to produce 3 AOCs. Champagne, Coteaux Champenoise and the Rose de Riceys, a red still wine with an extraordinary orange/red color, a wine loved by King Louis IX. Production for the entire area is around 60,000 bottles per year.

History

Bernard de Clairvaux was a powerful supporter of the Templars and his Cistercian Order benefited greatly from their protection as they expanded the production and distribution of their wine business. This is the heritage of this region's Champagne. Visit Abbey of Clairvaux to see the vaulted arches and the old prison built by Napoleon Bonaparte. The active prison is next door.

The medieval city of Troyes was the home of the Medieval Talmudic scholar Rashi, 12th century poet Chrétienne de Troyes credited with creating the character of Lancelot and Council of Troyes that sanctioned the Knights Templar in 1129. In 1420, it was here Catherine of Valois married Henry V of England at the parish church of St. Jean; and where, in 1429, after a few days of refusing to let her in, the British surrendered to Joan of Arc, and her army as they passed through on their way from Orléans to Reims for the coronation of the Dauphin, France’s rightful king. Troyes was liberated again in 1944, this time from the Germans, by General George Patton and the Fourth Armored Division, along with Free French forces.

Cote des Bar Champagne Wine Adventures

The Cote de Bars is located in the Aube department created during the French revolution. The center is the medieval city of Troyes, which is filled with the history of the Knights Templars, Joan of Arc, and the great Jewish Thinkers of the Golden Age. The area specialises in growing Pinot Noir grapes, Sloe Gin, Chocolate, Cider, Charouce Cheese, Andouillettes, and Briennois Sauerkraut.

Multi Region Journeys