661883 Sat Oct 24 03:12:57 -0700 2009 7 49 France 0 5126999 We are spending a long weekend in champagne. We don't want to do a ton of tasting just one a day. Here is the current plan: Thursday: Pommery - Saturday: http://www.pommery.fr/ Friday: Krug or Ruinart http://www.ruinart.com/#//index.php Saturday: Mercier - http://www.champagnemercier.fr/anglais/home.htm Basically we went this route because of the balance of quality champagne and what seem to be interesting tours. If you have alternative suggestions that would be great, especially since I still need to confirm that we can bring toddlers on these tours. Additional suggestions of gastronomic activities in the region that can be done with little people are greatly appreciated. Sat Oct 24 03:12:57 -0700 2009 138372 spacesasha 1 5127074 Never done any visit in the Champagne region, but, for what it's worth, I don't particularly like Mercier. And you'd probably want to visit independent ones, like Selosse. Sat Oct 24 05:33:53 -0700 2009 5126999 223249 olivierb 2 5142327 I am not a major fan of Mercier either, but they apparently have an excellent tour and it was suggested by people who visited the region with children. I just checked online and it says Selosse doesn't do tastings/visits. Fri Oct 30 05:30:04 -0700 2009 5127074 138372 spacesasha 3 5143056 Sorry about that, I mentioned it because I remembered reading some reports about visits there a few months/years ago. It seemed wonderful... maybe he stopped doing those. Fri Oct 30 09:59:54 -0700 2009 5142327 223249 olivierb 4 5143375 Or maybe those are general "instructions" for the public. I think a lot of the smaller grower/producers only do tastings/tours if someone inquires especially. I'd give it a try. Fri Oct 30 11:27:46 -0700 2009 5143056 52499 ChefJune 3 5144637 Agreed. Visiting Champagne houses is a great way to learn not only how Champagne is made, but how each house does it differently - each has its own history, philosophy, story, process, grape varietals used, if they own their own vineyard (rare) or buy grapes cumulatively from various farmers, etc. Don't rule out visiting a lesser known house if the grand house you'd like to visit doesn't offer a tour. Some of the best tours and tastings I've done were at houses I wasn't a fan of the Champagne prior to visiting, but the experiences are still being shared around the table and over a glass. Also suggested reading is "Wine and War" and "Champagne" by Authors Donald and Petie Kladstrup which illuminates the history of the families in the area who went to great lengths to protect/hide the wine - an additional layer of history to understand the area in addition to the fine bubbles. Sat Oct 31 01:28:28 -0700 2009 5142327 1120063 WendyLyn 1 5127414 You will need reservations for many places. Be sure to check that out before you just stop in. It is not like Napa Valley, where many people just drop in. Sat Oct 24 08:59:09 -0700 2009 5126999 52499 ChefJune 2 5144709 The advantage of Mercier is the access via elevator and the tour is done on a train which the kids should enjoy. If you get to Moet and Chandon in Epernay, there is a choice of three "tours" - a tour finishing with one flute of Brut Imperial cost €13per person (2008 price) - for one Brut Imperial and one Rose Imperial it was €20 per person - the Grand Vintage Tour ending with 1 flute Grand Vintage 2000 & 1 flute Grand Vintage 2000 Rose was €25. The guided tours are all the same just the wine at the end differs. If you are a couple, have one person do the first or second option while the 2nd person does the 3rd option. At the end, as a couple you get to share the taste 4 champagnes instead of 2 if you both paid the same amount. Sat Oct 31 05:19:04 -0700 2009 5127414 134599 legume