The Best Wine Production Houses to Visit in France
France has many leading wine-producing cities with a rich history and culture. It should be noted that any sparkling wine produced outside these regions is not legitimate champagne. This is true on a global scale.
In this post, we will present some of the champagne factories that you should definitely visit.
House of Veuve Clicquot
Veuve Clicquot is one of the most traditional houses in France. The house offers several types of tours. The "In the footsteps of Madame Clicquot" starts with a presentation of the history of the founding family, the different changes in the labels of the bottles, and the general curiosities of the brand.
After the museum, visitors descend to the chalk pits, 18 meters above the ground. The place is dark and damp and has miles and miles of extension.
During the visit, it is possible to learn about the wine production process and to see the bottles that are sold.
In the end, there is a tasting. One cannot mention the best champagne houses to visit without mentioning this house.
Moët & Chandon
Located on the Avenue de Champagne, Moët & Chandon is a symbol of tradition and elegance in the region. Before visiting the underground section, visitors learn about the history of the company, its relationship with Napoleon, and how the brand conquered the world.
A curious fact is that Madame Pompadour, mistress of Louis XIII, was the first ambassador of Moët & Chandon.
The next stage of the tour is to go down to the pencils and learn about all the stages of wine production. In the end, visitors can enjoy a tasting session.
For reservations and more information on the types of tours, visit the website.
Maison Mercier
In 1858, Eugene Mercier had the idea of producing high-quality wine for the less privileged population. This is how Casa Mercier was born.
During the tour, visitors descend into the cellars in a panoramic lift, get acquainted with the pigeonholes by train, and see all the bottles resting before being sold. At the entrance to the house, a giant wooden barrel, equivalent to 800 barrels of champagne, represents the history of Cava Mercier.
At the end of the tour, there is a tasting. To book and get more information on the types of tours, visit the website.
Pommery
A blue and red castle with several towers over a large iron gate. This is the exterior of Pommery. As soon as you enter, a wooden barrel catches your eye: it was sculpted in 1903 by Emile Galé and paid tribute to the brotherhood between North America and France.
There are four types of tours on site. The 30-minute tour presents the history of the house and takes visitors into the cellars.
The 60-minute tour offers a complete visit to the cellars, tunnels, sculptures, and champagne production.
The 90-minute tour visits the Pommery cellars and the Villa Demoiselle, a 1907 mansion owned by the company.
The 120-minute tour visits the vineyards, parks, champagne-making sites, and cellars. For bookings and more information, visit the website.
Final Thoughts
Are you ready to enjoy some of the best wine and champagne in the world? Let us know your favorite in the comments below!