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Reims and Champagne

Champagne 3 nights Price from £2,425 per person
Departs: 19 Nov 2023, 08 Dec 2024
Departs: 19 Nov 2023

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Whet your appetite for the festive season with a pre-Christmas Champagne escape in the company of wine expert Tim Clarke. Based in the heart of Reims, walking distance from the magnificent gothic cathedral where the kings of France were crowned, we will enjoy exclusive tastings and delicious cuisine, as well as time to explore the atmospheric Christmas markets. From a grand dinner at the Taittinger family château, to intimate tastings with our favourite growers out in the vineyard villages, we will sample diverse Champagnes in a variety of settings. During the course of the holiday, Tim Clarke will share his 30 years of Champagne insights with you and host his own tutored tastings, which demonstrate the complexity and diversity of this most pleasurable of wines.

What's included

...when you travel with Kirker

  • Return Standard Premier (first class) Eurostar tickets
  • Three nights' accommodation with breakfast
  • Two dinners & two lunches
  • Champagne tastings and talks as described
  • The services of the Kirker Tour Lecturer, Tim Clarke

Itinerary

  • Day 1 - Arrival in Reims & Champagne tasting

    We head to the Champagne region in the fastest and most convenient way, travelling from St. Pancras by Eurostar to Lille. Here we will be met by our coach for the drive to Reims in the heart of Champagne, arriving mid-afternoon. We will then check into the 4* Hotel de la Paix, which is perfectly located in the centre of the city and will be our base for the duration of the holiday. The rest of the afternoon is free for you to relax or explore the town. This evening, Tim Clarke will host a Champagne tasting, comparing the styles and quality of a selection of wines, describing styles, evaluating the quality and judging which suit our taste. He will also discuss tasting technique, explain how the production methods used affect the style and no doubt spring a surprise or two. After the tasting we shall dine together.
  • Day 2 - Vilmart & Bollinger

    This morning we will drive to the Montagne de Reims villages outside Reims to visit Vilmart, one of the leading small estate Champagne makers. Next we visit famed Champagne house Bollinger, for a tour of the cellars and lunch, paired with various Champagnes served with the meal. Then we return to Reims for a guided tour of the magnificent Reims Cathedral, setting for the coronation of many monarchs of France.
  • Day 3 - Gosset, Camille Saves & Taittinger

    This morning we enjoy a visit to Gosset, the oldest wine house in the region, for our tour and tasting. Our next stop is the Grand Cru village of Bouzy, famous for its powerful Pinot Noir-based Champagne and red wines. Here we visit leading grower-producers, Camille Savès. Late in the afternoon, we visit Taittinger’s Chateau de la Marquetterie near Epernay, where we have a fabulous private dinner.
  • Day 4 - Philipponnat

    On our final morning we drive to the south side of the Montagne de Reims to Philipponnat, a smaller house that is a favourite of connoisseurs, for  a tour of their famous ‘Clos des Goisses’ vineyard. We leave the region in the afternoon, returning by Eurostar to London.

Departure Dates and Prices

Eurostar Information:
Depart London St. Pancras 10.14 arrive Lille 12.54
Depart Lille 18.35 arrive London St. Pancras 19.13

2023

19 Nov 2023

Status Limited

Price from£2425

Single Supp.£180

Call 020 7593 2284

2024

08 Dec 2024

Status Available

Price from£2697

Single Supp.£180

Book Now Enquire

Included Hotels

Champagne, France, Europe

In the heart of Reims, just a few minutes’ walk from the Cathedral, and walking distance from the TGV station, Hotel de la Paix has 163 comfortable, modern rooms.

Tim Clarke

Tim Clarke

Tour Lecturer

More Info

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To make an enquiry please speak to one of our experts on 020 7593 2288, or enquire online

Our expert reservations team regularly travel to a wide range of destinations to explore new cities, visit hotels and to research museums, galleries and restaurants so that we can offer the most up-to-date advice and recommendations.

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