464013 Mon Nov 26 23:49:23 -0800 2007 8 49 France 0 3157669 I wanted to visit some of the smaller champagne houses in the area, mid December on a Sunday. Have I set myself up for an impossible task? Any recommendations? Thanks for your help. Mon Nov 26 23:49:24 -0800 2007 13296 Sandra W 1 3158139 I was just in Reims for the past week. We had a special dinner at Charles Heidsieck and also a tour and tasting at Krug. France is a very Catholic country, and I'm guessing you will not find any cave, small or large, that is open on a Sunday. Perhaps the Tourist Office could assist you with further information, but if you want to visit any caves, you probably need another day. Tue Nov 27 07:58:52 -0800 2007 3157669 52499 ChefJune 2 3158175 I suggest you have a look at this web page. You will find most caves listed. Click on the name of the brand you're interested in and details will pop up. Also, they will give you the web page of the cave where you can check the business hours. I had a look at just some, but don't have time to go through them. And sure, some are open. Sunday is their big day, especially in December. http://www.libation-unlimited.com/dr-46-champagne-in-epernay.aspx Tue Nov 27 08:10:20 -0800 2007 3158139 13522 Dodo 3 3158656 That's a neat site. Thanks! but I didn't see anywhere that indicated hours for any of the houses. Where did you find indications they are open on Sundays in December? Tue Nov 27 10:52:34 -0800 2007 3158175 52499 ChefJune 4 3159046 ChefJune You click any of the champagne labels below the map. Then, you will find lots of info for that particular cave, but also 'website' being mentioned somewhere. Click and you'll get to the cave's page with all info. It's very time consuming to get there, but if you're interested in visiting a particular cave, it's certainly worth it. BTW, here's the same site, but for Reims: http://www.libation-unlimited.com/dr-81-champagne-in-reims.aspx As for December, hm.. that's the big month like for the department stores in Paris which will be open on some Sundays (9, 16 and 23) in December. :o) Tue Nov 27 12:47:54 -0800 2007 3158656 13522 Dodo 5 3160204 It is very time consuming. I found the same site. I was hoping to get some recommendations to try and narrow it down. Anyone???? TIA. Tue Nov 27 18:37:14 -0800 2007 3159046 13296 Sandra W 6 3160501 Without going through each of the houses on the site, I noticed that most of those there are pretty well known, as opposed to the small, grower-houses you mentioned. If I were guessing, I'd bet Veuve Clicquot will be open on Sunday, and possibly Taittinger and Louis Roederer.... larger and better known houses. Maybe Moet, too. Many of the houses are never open to the public other than by advance appointment, so I don't imagine Sundays in December would be any exception. Tue Nov 27 20:45:52 -0800 2007 3160204 52499 ChefJune 1 3159144 Some of the larger houses are open on Sundays, but in general Sunday is a VERY quiet day in Epernay, and only marginally less so in Reims. Many of the smaller producers work six days a week, so Sunday is the day they get to have some family time. Having said that, I would suggest contacting people that you want to visit and explaining your situation, and perhaps some might be willing to accomodate you. Certainly it's not going to happen without an appointment, though. Tue Nov 27 13:13:23 -0800 2007 3157669 144371 peterliem 1 3175361 I think it is extremely unlikely you will find any small houses open on a Sunday. We were just out for a visit and even with the intervention of a friend who is a champagne importer, we were not able to do so. We did visit the following small houses on other days, all of which I would recommend, if you have any additional time. Our favorites were Chartogne Taillet and Gaston Chiquet. My husband is writing up notes on our visits, so I will try to remember to come back and post them when he’s done. We did do a tour at Pommery on Sunday morning. I am not over-impressed with their wines, especially for the price, but we were having lunch just up the road for it, and it was interesting to see the spectacle. They offer a tour and tasting that lasts about an hour for 10-17 euros (depending on what wines you want to taste.) The tour is lacking in informational depth, but the caves are something to see. Champagne Jean Milan 6, rue d'AVIZE 51190 OGER 03 26 57 50 09 Champagne Pierre Gimonnet & Fils 1, rue de la République 51530 Cuis 03 26 59 78 70 Champagne Chartogne-Taillet 37-39 Grande rue 51220 MERFY 03.26.03.10.17 Champagne Vilmart & Cie 4 rue de la république 51500 Rilly La Montagne 03.26.03.40.01 Champagne Gaston Chiquet 912, avenue du Général Leclerc 51530 DIZY 03 26 55 22 02 Mon Dec 03 10:23:19 -0800 2007 3157669 25664 meg944