|
Travel Tips/Shipping Champagne
I'm going to Champagne country next spring and would love to visit some of the smaller producers. I have a few questions:
|
Epernay is much smaller, thus, much more convenient. But, Riems does have that Cathedral. :)
Personally, I would try to stay out in one of the villages. But, that means you must have a car--which is a good idea anyway. As to your ability to navigate, get a detailed map of the area and you will be fine. French road signage and directions are excellent. As to shipping wine back, why bother (except for souvenier aspect). At the moment, Champagne is mostly lots cheaper in the US than France-especially when you factor in shipping. And, I suspect you will find US Customs wants LOTS of money from you when the case arrives. Plus the shipping is going to be steep. Better to (if you must haul it back) pack it well and check it through. And, there is lots of unusual Champagne in the US if you go to the right place. The Michelin Red guide is very helpful for finding out in the country hotels of charm and quiet. Look for the symbol of the little guy in the rocking chair. |
Visit the cathedral in Reims, but don't stay there. More than most cathedral villes in France, it feels like a tourist trap.
|
Customs isn't the biggest problem when it comes to bringing wine back to the US, if the wine isn't accompanying you. The new bio-terrorism legislation is. We're moving about 100 bottles back to the US from France and our mover refuses to help us with the bio-terrorism online filing requirements. It will take me about 10-15 minutes per bottle (unique bottle - if I have 6 identical bottles it's only 1 entry) to complete the form online, and it's a major hassle to collect the required info (I don't have some of it) and submit it.
The customs, excise and duty costs aren't that high - maybe as much as 3 euros a bottle (and quite possibly less). On a 10-18 euro bottle of excellent champagne from an independent producer, that's a better deal than what you'd find in the US. But shipping it separately will be expensive (and a hassle, due to the bio-terrorism information filing requirements). Limit yourself to 6 bottles (each) and you should end up with some good value souvenirs you can bring home in your suitcase. |
Ruinart
I would put my vote for visiting Ruinart. (This is a top-of-the-line French champagne along the lines of Dom and Krug.) It's a fantastic experience and their historic cellars simply have no equals...
|
Originally Posted by Braniff
(Post 8523165)
I would put my vote for visiting Ruinart. (This is a top-of-the-line French champagne along the lines of Dom and Krug.) It's a fantastic experience and their historic cellars simply have no equals...
|
Originally Posted by dhammer53
(Post 8319651)
Related question... In the States, everyone knows not to make a purchase at a winery. You're paying the regular street price or above. Does this logic hold true in France? Should I buy at a local store, or will I get ripped off buying champagne at Tattinger?
I can name at least one top notch Sonoma winery where the best stuff is sold only at the winery and not through the usual retail channels.
Originally Posted by Kate_Canuck
(Post 8480317)
Customs isn't the biggest problem when it comes to bringing wine back to the US, if the wine isn't accompanying you. The new bio-terrorism legislation is. We're moving about 100 bottles back to the US from France and our mover refuses to help us with the bio-terrorism online filing requirements. It will take me about 10-15 minutes per bottle (unique bottle - if I have 6 identical bottles it's only 1 entry) to complete the form online, and it's a major hassle to collect the required info (I don't have some of it) and submit it.
The customs, excise and duty costs aren't that high - maybe as much as 3 euros a bottle (and quite possibly less). On a 10-18 euro bottle of excellent champagne from an independent producer, that's a better deal than what you'd find in the US. But shipping it separately will be expensive (and a hassle, due to the bio-terrorism information filing requirements). Limit yourself to 6 bottles (each) and you should end up with some good value souvenirs you can bring home in your suitcase. |
Originally Posted by Landing Gear
(Post 8556882)
This is really very interesting. Do you have a website reference where one could see the forms? Who administers this program, USDA? CPB?
http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/import/co...rorism_act.xml http://www.fda.gov/oc/bioterrorism/bioact.html I assume Kate may be referring to the prior notice provisions: http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~pn/pnqagui2.html http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~pn/pnfr.html http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/fsbtac13.html |
Originally Posted by Landing Gear
(Post 8556882)
Who is this "everyone" of whom you speak?
I can name at least one top notch Sonoma winery where the best stuff is sold only at the winery |
Sunday morning in Reims
I will be in Paris next weekend. I really want to visit a Champagne house on Sunday morning and unfortunately I only have Sunday morning because I'm going to see Un Ballo in Maschera at the Opera Bastille at 2:30pm.
I'm planning to take the TGV that arrives into Reims at 9:18am, and leaves Reims at 12:45pm Given the short amount of time I have, I would like to visit one, perhaps two houses. Here are my choices as these are open on Sundays: Taittinger, Pommery, or Ruinart. Which one(s) would you recommend? I see Braniff above highly recommended Ruinart. I see on Ruinart's web site that they offer a personalized tour upon request. Thanks. |
I don't think any of the houses are open on Sundays. Visiting 2 houses in that short a period is quite ambitious anyway. Remember - Champagne is to be sipped and enjoyed; not gulped and rushed! :)
You'll be able to see the Cathedral at Reims and probably take a few pics outside some of the houses if that's your thing. Otherwise I'd recommend just staying in Paris and enjoying that city. As it appears you're into music, I'd suggest going to St. Sulpice for mass. (I'm not religious myself, but mass in a European church is kinda cool.) After the mass there's a free concert (about 30 min) on the massive organ. And after the concert, at the back of the church (on the left if you're facing the organ) an unmarked door will be opened very briefly and you get to walk up to see the organ up close. When I went the organist was Sophie Veronique Cauchefer-Choplin. She was selling a few of her CDs and was very happy to chat about playing the organ at St Sulpice. (I gather she speaks English quite fluently if you don't speak French.) |
Originally Posted by RCyyz
(Post 11632055)
I don't think any of the houses are open on Sundays.
|
Originally Posted by chrissxb
(Post 11637091)
Pommery is open on sunday, we went there for last years Reims DO. you need a cab to get there from rail station ... and a cab to get back to rail station. I think your schedule is way too tight ...
|
Originally Posted by francophile
(Post 11626118)
I will be in Paris next weekend. I really want to visit a Champagne house on Sunday morning and unfortunately I only have Sunday morning because I'm going to see Un Ballo in Maschera at the Opera Bastille at 2:30pm.
I'm planning to take the TGV that arrives into Reims at 9:18am, and leaves Reims at 12:45pm I'm not sure when "next" weekend is and if it has been and gone I am sorry. You simply do not have time to do justice to Reims to whizz down and back like that. Personally I find the Champagne cellars a bit of a let-down apart from rows and rows of bottles there is not that much to see. If I were you I would go off on Sat to Legrand et Fille at Rue de la Bourse near the Place de Notre Dame des Victoires. It is wonderful and - whilst not a producer should amaze you with the array of bottles. They have a tasting bar (paying of course) I totally agree with buying from Petits Producteurs - you can but Tattinger, Pommery etc allover the world and - has been said - are blended wines. Given the short amount of time I have, I would like to visit one, perhaps two houses. Here are my choices as these are open on Sundays: Taittinger, Pommery, or Ruinart. Which one(s) would you recommend? I see Braniff above highly recommended Ruinart. I see on Ruinart's web site that they offer a personalized tour upon request. Thanks. |
Originally Posted by chrissxb
(Post 11637091)
Pommery is open on sunday, we went there for last years Reims DO. you need a cab to get there from rail station ... and a cab to get back to rail station. I think your schedule is way too tight ...
Essentially, day trips from Paris that feed my wine geek and/or feed their love of farms/fields/fresh vegetables. |
| All times are GMT -6. The time now is 6:58 am. |
This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.