Located right next to the Bourgogne region, this is where one quarter of the champagne is produced, mainly a pinot noir area.
Le Rosé des Riceys
It is a charming experience to lay your eyes on these exquisite winding vineyards whose beauty is enhanced by «cadolles», the wineproducers’ tiny traditional stone sheds. Riceys represents the alliance of three little towns all stonewalled with a total of 3 churches, 6 chapels, 2 castles and 7 stone washtubs, all classified monuments! Three different Controlled Designation of Origin products for this area among which the famous Rosé des Riceys. From this legendary wine emanates a bouquet of wild flowers as well as violet and hazelnut, highly appreciated by Louis XIVth himself. A royal court wine particularly rare, as only 80 000 bottles are produced per year.
Created as early as back in the 17th century, Champagne Guy de Forez, a family run house combines the traditional with the more modern characterisitcs for the production of its champagnes and wines. Route de Tonnerre. 10340, Les Riceys. www.guydeforez-riceys.com
Morize, Father and Son, Riceys pink champagne, still wines and XIth century Cistercian cellars visits, www.champagnemorize.com
Urville
Champagne Drappier, a must. General de Gaulle’s favorite champagne; he used to save it for each of his receptions at Colombey-les-deux-églises. The special vintage “Charles de Gaulle” is a reference. The cistercian cellar dates back to the foundation of the Clairvaux Abbey. The site itself is as elegant as its champagnes. www.champagne-drappier.com
Bayel
To visit the Royal Crystal Manufacture of the Champagne Region. One of the earliest mouth blown Crystal French Manufacture. It was created in 1678 under the aegis of the Clairvaux Abbey monks by the Venitian glass-making Master Jean-Baptiste Mazzolay. This know-how was ordained by King Louis XIV; this manufacture then became the Official Royal Manufacture. www.bayel-cristal.com
Bligny
Château de Bligny. The one and only «Château» label authorized for a champagne. www.champagnechateaudebligny.com
