In order to label a wine as grand cru, it must be sourced entirely from vineyards in Grand Cru villages and pinot noir and chardonnay grapes are the only two grapes eligible for Grand Cru status. Our tour will include visits to at least 3 or 4 Grand or Premier Cru producers where you will be able to do multi tasting and compare Bruts, Extra Brut, Roseé and different Vintages.
This is a unique opportunity to sample a few of the best quality champagnes produced and understand how the styles vary according to the methods of production used, fermentation, aging, yeasts, barrel selection, date harvested versus date bottled, and many other variable that are considered to create a specific style which represents the terroir of the vineyard.
We focus on Pinot Noir based Champagne in Montagne de Reims where most of the Grand Crus are located. The Petite Montagne is one of the best places for the Pinot Meunier Grape, alongside the Marne Valley, and is mostly populated with Premier Cru villages.
You may also want to add extra time depending on whether your departure point is local or in Paris for an extra visit and you have the option to reserve one of our top specialists if you are a professional or want to have a deep understanding and learning experience.
Grand and Premier Cru Multi Tasting Visits
Light gastronomic lunch.
Available Monday to Saturday
Join viticulture expert Francois in one of his favourite vineyards. He will discuss the 3 elements that go into make the world’s most famous wine which are the:
1: Men and Women and their Work
2: Terroir and how it has been cultivated for over 300 years
3: Grapes which have adapted to the local soil.
Francois is recently retired after 35 years as manager of the Veuve Clicquot vineyards of the Montagne de Reims, from Bouzy to Verzenay, covering close to 140 hectares.
Francois can join you for 1hr, 4hrs or full day.
Échelle des Crus : Champagne classification is based on the village the vineyards are located. A pro rate system known as the Échelle des Crus is used for determining grape prices. Grand Cru grapes are rated at 100% and Premier Cru, between 90 and 99. 61 villages among the Champagne region’s 319 villages are classified Premier Cru or Grand Cru. The village of Aÿ, considered the best village for Champagne as it is the only one to be classified 100% Grand Cru for two cépages: Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. One small producer here is highly esteemed by Robert Parker. His speciality? One year maturations in brand new oak barrels made from trees grown in Champagne.
17 Grand Cru villages
Montagne de Reims : Ambonnay, Beaumont, Bouzy, Louvois, Mailly, Puisieulx, Sillery, Verzenay, Verzy.
Vallee de la Marne: Ay, Tours-sur-Marne.
Cote des Blancs : Avize, Chouilly, Cramant, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Oger, Oiry.
