Everybody knows Champagne – the famous bubbly wine from France. It is the beverage of luxury, the drink of celebration and the nectar of the Kings. DuVine is excited to be offering a bicycle tour in Champagne in 2011. With amazing history and the best sparkling wine in the world, it is the ideal region for your next cycling vacation.
As promised to his wife Clotilde, Clovis, the first King of France, converted to Catholicism after victory over Germanic tribes at Tolbiac. This conversion to the Christian faith took place with an historic baptism in the city of Reims, capital of the Champagne region. To honor Clovis, Reims became the coronation site for the French Kings, which has forever increased the cultural richness of the region. Today historical monuments offer windows into the past: a roman arch, an 11th century basilica, a immense cathedral & the 17th century Hôtel de ville.
Over the course of your DuVine Champagne bike tour, we will ride down quiet roads past pastures, through forests and amongst the vines. The warmth of the French countryside and its agricultural history are on display. Rolling hillsides covered in grape production will constantly remind you that this region is all about the world’s most famous sparkling wine – Champagne.
Although Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier are all used in making the wine, the real hero of Champagne is the process in which it is made. With complex aging and secondary bottle fermentation, the sparkles in Champagne are produced thanks to refined techniques and large amounts of knowledge. The famous monk, Dom Perignon, is wrongly credited with inventing Champagne. In fact, most of his work as the cellar master at a Benedictine Abbey was in preventing this imperfection. He also worked hard to blend grape varietals to improve flavors and consistency in the regional wine; for this hard work, and for improving winemaking in France, he is famous.
Between Epernay and Reims, you’ll have the opportunity to visit a diversity of Champagne houses. Although Champagne is rich with famous estates like Pommery, Veuve-Cliquot, Tattinger, Mumm and Krug, there are also many small grower-producers. And although there are only three grapes and one prominent style of winemaking, the flavors and terroir will allow for large differences in quality and flavor.
Neighboring the Champagne region is the Ardennes – which asserts its influence on the local cuisine. Pork dishes, like andouillette sausages, jambon d’Ardennes and pied de porc are commonly found. So are other delights like tête de veau, boudin blanc and delicious cheeses. Not commonly heralded as the heart of French cooking, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the quality and diversity of the regional cuisine.
Need more reasons to join up with our DuVine exploration in Champagne? Just know that this region is loaded with amazing sites: UNESCO recognizes the Citadel of Reims as a World Heritage site. The Cathedral’s impressive towers are considered National Monuments in France. The regional forests are home to unique and rare flora. Chalky soils allow for expansive underground tunnels and caves that are used to age millions of bottles of wine below your feet. And, of course, the wine will not disappoint.
In true DuVine style, we’ve selected the best hotels and restaurants to round out our new tour in Champagne. Get ready, sign-up and join me in Champagne this June where we can bike, eat, drink and sleep like the Kings of France!
After your adventure, you’ll be able to take a short train to Paris, Belgium or Germany for the continuation of your vacation in Europe.
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