Style: December 01, 2017

STYLE | report 23
image: istockphoto
THE REGION
If you were to pack your bags and head
to France, you wouldn’t want to miss the
opportunity to experience the birthplace of
Champagne – a region as appealing for its
delightful villages, ancient monasteries and
stunning chateaux as its 34,000 hectares of
vineyards.
Champagne is roughly 160km east of
Paris. A 45-minute trip on the high-speed
rail and you’ll find yourself in Reims, home
to Taittinger, Krug, Veuve Clicquot and
Mumm, but also the oldest maison de
champagne: Ruinart. Nearby Épernay, where
you’ll find Moët et Chandon (on Avenues
de Champagne), is an area in which 99 per
cent of its inhabitants work in the wine
industry.
From these two cities five different trails
make up “The Champagne Route”. Pick
one to discover the hidden secrets of some
of the smaller producers and the history
of this wine-growing mecca and family-run
vineyards at every turn.
1. MASSIF DE SAINT-THIERRY: A loop
around the northwest hillsides between Reims
and Épernay. Look out for a number medieval
churches and villages ensconced by forest
and vines.
2. MONTAGNE DE REIMS: A trail along the
hillsides of Reims and Épernay. Travel through
one of France’s richest wine-growing areas,
and discover adorable villages such as Bouzy
and Dizy.
3. VALLÉE DE LA MARNE: From Épernay,
travel through the valley of the River Marne,
to Dormans. Take your walking shoes and
roam vineyards above Épernay. Don’t miss
Hautvillers, where you’ll find the Abbey of
St Peter, Dom Perignon’s home in which he
“discovered the secret of champagne making”
in the 17th century.
4. CÔTE DES BLANCS: A journey south of
Épernay. The area known as the home of the
chardonnay grape, and boasting Oger, a village
described as one of France’s most beautiful.
5. CÔTE DES BAR: East of the city Troyes,
in the Aube (south of Champagne). A 220km
signposted route with 39 cellars at which to
stop.